Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ASTROPHEL AND STELLA: SEVENTH SONG (STELLA SINGING), by PHILIP SIDNEY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ASTROPHEL AND STELLA: SEVENTH SONG (STELLA SINGING), by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Whose senses in so ill consort their stepdame nature lays
Last Line: The very essence of their tunes, when angels do rejoice.
Subject(s): Love; Stars


Whose senses in so ill consort their stepdame nature lays,
That ravishing delight in them most sweet tunes do not raise;
Or if they do delight therein, yet are so cloyed with wit,
As with sententious lips to set a title vain on it;
O let them hear these sacred tunes, and learn in wonder's schools
To be, in things past bounds of wit, fools, if they be not fools.

Who have so leaden eyes, as not to see sweet beauty's show;
Or seeing, have so wooden wits, as not that worth to know;
Or knowing, have so muddy minds, as not to be in love;
Or loving, have so frothy thoughts as eas'ly thence to move:
O, let them see these heavenly beams, and in fair letters read
A lesson fit, both sight and skill, love and firm love to breed.

Hear then, but then with wonder hear; see, but adoring see;
No mortal gifts, no earthly fruits, now here descended be;
See; do you see this face? A face? Nay, image of the skies,
Of which the two life-giving lights are figured in her eyes.
Hear you this soul-invading voice, and count it but a voice?
The very essence of their tunes, when angels do rejoice.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net