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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ASTROPHEL AND STELLA: 32 by PHILIP SIDNEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: MORPHEUS, THE LIVELY SON OF DEADLY SLEEP
Last Line: SWEET STELLA'S IMAGE I DO STEAL TO ME.'
Subject(s): SLEEP;

Morpheus, the lively son of deadly sleep,
Witness of life to them that living die,
A prophet oft, and oft an history,
A poet eke, as humours fly or creep;
Since thou in me so sure a power dost keep
That never I with closed-up sense do lie
But by thy work my Stella I descry
Teaching blind eyes both how to smile and weep,
Vouchsafe of all acquaintance this to tell:
Whence hast thou ivory, rubies, pearl and gold
To show her skin, lips, teeth and head so well?
'Fool,' answers he; 'no Ind's such treasures hold,
But from thy heart, while my sire charmeth thee,
Sweet Stella's image I do steal to me.'




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