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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ASTROPHEL AND STELLA: 73 by PHILIP SIDNEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: LOVE STILL A BOY AND OFT A WANTON IS
Last Line: THAT ANGER'S SELF I NEEDS MUST KISS AGAIN.
Subject(s): LOVE; STARS;

Love still a boy, and oft a wanton is,
Schooled only by his mother's tender eye;
What wonder then if he his lesson miss,
When for so soft a rod dear play he try?
And yet my Star, because a sugared kiss
In sport I sucked, while she asleep did lie,
Doth lour, nay chide; nay, threat, for only this.
Sweet, it was saucy love, not humble I.
But no 'scuse serves, she makes her wrath appear
In beauty's throne; see now, who dares come near
Those scarlet judges, threatening bloody pain?
O heavenly fool, thy most kiss-worthy face
Anger invests with such a lovely grace
That anger's self I needs must kiss again.



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