Astrophel and Stella VII
Astrophel and Stella VII
Original Text
Sir Philip Sidney, Sir P. S. his Astrophel and Stella ([J. Charlewood] for T. Newman, 1591). STC 22536. Facs. edn. (Menston: Scolar Press, 1970). PR 2342 A7 1591A Robarts Library. Cf. Sidney's Arcadia. Facs. edn. (Delma: Scholars' Facsimiles and Reprints, 1983). PR 2342 A5 1983
1When Nature made her chief work, Stella's eyes,
2In colour black why wrapt she beams so bright?
3Would she in beamy black, like painter wise,
4Frame daintiest lustre, mix'd of shades and light?
5Or did she else that sober hue devise,
6In object best to knit and strength our sight;
7Lest, if no veil these brave gleams did disguise,
8They, sunlike, should more dazzle than delight?
9Or would she her miraculous power show,
10That, whereas black seems beauty's contrary,
11She even in black doth make all beauties flow?
12Both so, and thus,--she, minding Love should be
13Plac'd ever there, gave him this mourning weed
14To honour all their deaths who for her bleed.
Publication Start Year
1591
RPO poem Editors
N. J. Endicott
RPO Edition
2RP.1.171; RPO 1996-2000.
Rhyme
Form