Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.
Astrophel and Stella. Other Songs of Variable VerseEighth Song: In a grove most rich of shade
Sir Philip Sidney (15541586)I
Where birds wanton music made;
May then young, his pied weeds showing,
New perfumed with flowers fresh growing;
Did for mutual comfort meet;
Both within themselves oppressed,
But each in the other blessed.
Her fair neck a foul yoke bare:
But her sight his cares did banish,
In his sight her yoke did vanish.
But now tears themselves did smile;
While their eyes by love directed,
Interchangeably reflected.
Sighs of woe were glad sighs mixt;
With arms crossed, yet testifying
Restless rest, and living dying.
Which the dear tongue would afford:
But their tongues restrained from walking,
Till their hearts had ended talking.
Love itself did silence break:
Love did set his lips asunder,
Thus to speak in love and wonder.
Fair triumpher of annoy!
S
S
Are the lights of C
Whose beams where they once are darted,
Love therewith is straight imparted.”
Senses all asunder breaks.
S
Angels’ to acquaintance bringeth.”
Writ each character of bliss.
Whose face all, all beauty passeth;
Save thy mind which yet surpasseth.”
Fails me, fearing on to pass:
Grant! O me! what am I saying?
But no fault there is in praying.”
Knees on ground he then did stay
“That not I; but since I love you,
Time and place for me may move you!”
Never room more apt for it.
Smiling air allows my reason;
These birds sing: now use the season!”
See how it the leaves doth kiss!
Each tree in his best attiring,
Sense of love to love inspiring.”
Love to earth makes water sink:
And if dumb things be so witty,
Shall a heavenly grace want pity?”
Would have made tongue’s language plain:
But her hands, his hands repelling,
Gave repulse, all grace excelling.
As not ears, but heart did touch;
While such wise she love denied,
As yet love she signified.
“A
Cease in these effects to prove.
Now be still! yet still believe me,
Thy grief more than death would grieve me.”
Can taste comfort but of thee;
Let me fed with hellish anguish,
Joyless, hopeless, endless languish.”
Half so dear as you to me;
Let me home return, stark blinded
Of those eyes; and blinder minded!”
I do any wish impart;
Where thou art not foremost placed:
Be both wish and I defaced!”
All my bliss on thee I lay.
If thou love, my love content thee!
For all love, all faith is meant thee.”
In myself the smart I try.
Tyrant H
S
Lest, though I leave not thy love,
Which too deep in me is framed;
I should blush when thou art named!”
Leaving him to passion rent,
With what she had done and spoken;
That therewith my song is broken.