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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ASTROPHEL AND STELLA: 74 by PHILIP SIDNEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: I NEVER DRANK OF AGANIPPE'S WELL
Last Line: MY LIPS ARE SWEET, INSPIRED WITH STELLA'S KISS.
Subject(s): LOVE;

I NEVER drank of Aganippe's well,
Nor ever did in shade of Tempe sit,
And Muses scorn with vulgar brains to dwell;
Poor layman I, for sacred rites unfit,
Some do I hear of poets' fury tell,
But, God wot, wot not what they mean by it;
And this I swear by blackest brook of hell,
I am no pick-purse of another's wit.
How falls it then, that with so smooth an ease
My thoughts I speak; and what I speak doth flow
In verse, and that my verse best wits doth please?
Guess we the cause? What, is it this: Fie, no.
Or so? Much less. How then? Sure thus it is,
My lips are sweet, inspired with Stella's kiss.



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