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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ASTROPHEL AND STELLA: 103 by PHILIP SIDNEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: O HAPPY THAMES THAT DIDST MY STELLA BEAR
Last Line: LET HONOUR'S SELF TO THEE GRANT HIGHEST PLACE.'
Subject(s): LOVE; STARS;

O happy Thames, that didst my Stella bear!
I saw thyself, with many a smiling line
Upon thy cheerful face, joy's livery wear,
While those fair planets on thy streams did shine.
The boat for joy could not to dance forbear,
While wanton winds, with beauties so divine
Ravished, stayed not, till in her golden hair
They did themselves (O sweetest prison!) twine.
And fain those Aeol's youths there would their stay
Have made; but forced by nature still to fly,
First did with puffing kiss those locks display.
She, so dishevelled, blushed; from window I
With sight thereof cried out, 'O fair disgrace;
Let honour's self to thee grant highest place.'



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