Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ASTROPHEL AND STELLA: THIRD SONG by PHILIP SIDNEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: IF ORPHEUS' VOICE HAD FORCE TO BREATHE SUCH MUSIC'S LOVE
Last Line: O EYES, O EARS OF MEN, HOW ARE YOU CHARMED!
Subject(s): LOVE; STARS;
If Orpheus' voice had force to breathe such music's love
Through pores of senseless trees, as it could make them move;
If stones good measure danced, the Theban walls to build,
To cadence of the tunes, which Amphion's lyre did yield;
More cause a like effect at leastwise bringeth:
O stones, O trees, learn hearing: Stella singeth.

If love might sweeten so a boy of shepherd brood,
To make a lizard dull to taste love's dainty food;
If eagle fierce could so in Grecian maid delight,
As his light was her eyes, her death his endless night;
Earth gave that love, Heaven I trow love refineth:
O birds, O beasts, look, love: lo, Stella shineth.

The birds, beasts, stones, and trees feel this, and feeling, love;
And if the trees, nor stones, stir not, the same to prove,
Nor beasts nor birds do come unto this blessed gaze,
Know, that small love is quick, and great love doth amaze:
They are amazed, but you with reason armed:
O eyes, O ears of men, how are you charmed!



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