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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ASTROPHEL AND STELLA: 16 by PHILIP SIDNEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: IN NATURE APT TO LIKE, WHEN I DID SEE
Last Line: AS WHO BY BEING POISONED DOTH POISON KNOW.
Subject(s): LOVE; STARS;

In nature apt to like, when I did see,
Beauties, which were of many carats fine,
My boiling sprites did thither soon incline,
And, love, I thought that I was full of thee.
But finding not those restless flames in me
Which others said did make their souls to pine,
I thought those babes of some pin's hurt did whine,
By my love judging what love's pain might be.
But while I thus with this young lion played,
Mine eyes (shall I say cursed or blessed?) beheld
Stella: now she is named, need more be said?
In her sight I a lesson new have spelled;
I now have learned love right, and learned even so
As who by being poisoned doth poison know.



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