Astrophel and Stella: Third Song
Astrophel and Stella: Third 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.
2Through pores of senseles trees, as it could make them moue:
3If stones good measure daunc'd, the Theban walles to build,
5More cause a like effect at leastwise bringeth:
6O stones, O trees, learne hearing, Stella singeth.
8To make a Lyzard dull to taste Loues daintie food:
10As his light was her eyes, her death his endlesse night:
11Earth gaue that Loue, heau'n I trow Loue refineth:
12O beasts, O birds, looke, Loue, lo, Stella shineth.
13 The birds, stones and trees feele this, and feeling Loue:
14And if the trees, nor stones stirre not the same to proue,
15Nor beasts, nor birds do come vnto this blessed gaze,
16Know, that smal Loue is quicke, and great Loue doth amaze:
17They are amaz'd, but you with reason armed,
18O eyes, O eares of men, how are you charmed!
Notes
1] Orpheus: one of the first musicians in Greek mythology. He could charm beasts, trees, and rocks with his music, usually singing and playing the lyre. Back to Line
4] Amphyons lyre: In some traditions, Amphion (from Greek mythology) built the city of Thebes with music from his lyre. Back to Line
7] boy of shepheard brood: Pliny (the Elder), in The Natural History (book 8, chapter 22), recounts as story of Thoas, who as a young boy raised a dragon. Thoas’s father, afraid of its size, hid the dragon in the desert. When Thoas was set upon by robbers, the dragon, recognizing Thoas’s voice, came to his assistance. Back to Line
9] Grecian Mayd: Pliny (the Elder), in The Natural History (book 10, chapter 6), recounts a story of a young girl who raised an eagle. When the girl died, the eagle set itself upon her funeral pyre and died with her. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1591
RPO poem Editors
Marc R. Plamondon
RPO Edition
2007