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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ASTROPHEL AND STELLA: 91 by PHILIP SIDNEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: STELLA, WHILE NOW BY HONOUR'S CRUEL MIGHT
Last Line: NOT THEM, O NO, BUT YOU IN THEM I LOVE.
Subject(s): LOVE; STARS;

Stella, while now, by honour's cruel might,
I am from you, light of my life, misled,
And that fair you, my sun, thus overspread
With absence' veil, I live in sorrow's night;
If this dark place yet show, like candle light,
Some beauty's piece, as amber-coloured head,
Milk hands, rose cheeks, or lips more sweet, more red,
Or seeing jets, black, but in blackness bright:
They please, I do confess, they please mine eyes.
But why? Because of you they models be,
Models such be wood-globes of glistering skies.
Dear, therefore be not jealous over me;
If you hear that they seem my heart to move,
Not them, O no, but you in them I love.



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