Astrophel and Stella XX

Sidney, Sir Philip (1554 - 1586)

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 ROBA.

1Fly, fly, my friends, I have my death wound, fly!

2See there that boy, that murd'ring boy, I say,

3Who, like a thief, hid in dark bush doth lie

4Till bloody bullet get him wrongful prey.

5So tyrant he no fitter place could spy,

6Nor so fair level in so secret stay,

7As that sweet black which veils the heav'nly eye;

8There himself with his shot he close doth lay.

9Poor passenger, pass now thereby I did,

10And stay'd, pleas'd with the prospect of the place,

11While that black hue from me the bad guest hid;

12But straight I saw motions of lightning grace

13And then descried the glist'ring of his dart:

14But ere I could fly thence it pierc'd my heart.

Notes

2] boy: Cupid. Back to Line

6] so fair level: so well take aim. Back to Line

Publication Start Year

1591

RPO poem Editors

F. D. Hoeniger

RPO Edition

3RP 1:119.

Rhyme

ababababcdcdee

Form

sonnet