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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ASTROPHEL AND STELLA: 41 by PHILIP SIDNEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: HAVING THIS DAY MY HORSE, MY HAND, MY LANCE
Last Line: SENT FORTH THE BEAMS, WHICH MADE SO FAIR MY RACE.
Subject(s): LOVE; STARS;

Having this day my horse, my hand, my lance,
Guided so well, that I obtained the prize,
Both by the judgement of the English eyes
And of some sent from that sweet enemy, France;
Horsemen my skill in horsemanship advance;
Town-folks my strength; a daintier judge applies
His praise to sleight, which from good use doth rise;
Some lucky wits impute it but to chance;
Others, because of both sides I do take
My blood from them, who did excel in this,
Think nature me a man of arms did make.
How far they shoot awry! The true cause is,
Stella looked on, and from her heavenly face
Sent forth the beams, which made so fair my race.



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