Astrophel and Stella: Tenth Song
Astrophel and Stella: Tenth Song
Original Text
The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia written by Sir Philip Sidney, Knight. Now the third time published with sundry new additions of the same author. Edinburgh: Printed by Robert Walde-graue, 1599. STC 22542.
1O deare life, when shall it be
2That mine eies thine eyes may see?
3And in them thy mind discouer,
4Whether absence haue had force
5Thy remembrance to diuorce,
6From the image of the louer?
7 Or if I me selfe find not,
8After parting ought forgot,
9Nor debard from beauties treasure,
10Let no tongue aspire to tell,
11In what high joyes I shall dwell,
12Only thought aymes at the pleasure.
13 Thought therefore I will send thee,
14To take vp the place for me;
15Long I will not after tary,
16There vnseene thou maist be bold,
17Those faire wonders to behold,
18Which in them my hopes do cary.
19 Thought see thou no place forbeare,
20Enter brauely euery where,
21Seaze on all to her belonging;
22But if thou wouldst garded be,
23Fearing her beames, take with thee
24Strength of liking, rage of longing.
25 Think of that most gratefull time,
26When my leaping hart will clime,
27In my lips to haue his biding,
28There those roses for to kisse,
29Which doth breath a sugred blisse,
30Opening rubies, pearles deuiding.
31 Think of my most Princely power,
32When I blessed shall deuower,
34Beauty, musick, sweetnesse, loue
35While she doth against me proue
37 Thinke, think of those dallyings,
38When with Doue-like murmurings
39With glad moning passed anguish,
40We change eyes, and hart for hart,
41Each to other do depart,
42Ioying till joy make vs languish.
43 O my thought my thoughts surcease,
44Thy delights my woes increase,
45My life melts with too much thinking
46Think no more but die in me,
47Till thou shalt reuiued be,
48At her lips my Nectar drinking.
Notes
33] licorous: lickerous, eager, lustful Back to Line
36] “carts” changed to “darts”
her strong darts: the beams from her eyes Back to Line
her strong darts: the beams from her eyes Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1591
RPO poem Editors
Marc R. Plamondon
RPO Edition
2007