Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ASTROPHEL AND STELLA: 72 by PHILIP SIDNEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: DESIRE, THOUGH THOU MY OLD COMPANION ART
Last Line: NOW BANISHED ART -- BUT YET, ALAS, HOW SHALL?
Subject(s): LOVE - EROTIC;

Desire, though thou my old companion art,
And oft so clings to my pure love, that I
One from the other scarcely can descry,
While each doth blow the fire of my heart;
Now from thy fellowship I needs must part;
Venus is taught with Dian's wings to fly;
I must no more in thy sweet passions lie;
Virtue's gold now must head my Cupid's dart.
Service and honour, wonder with delight,
Fear to offend, will worthy to appear,
Care shining in mine eyes, faith in my sprite;
These things are left me by my only dear.
But thou, desire, because thou would'st have all,
Now banished art -- but yet, alas, how shall?



Home: PoetryExplorer.net