The Poetry Corner

Astrophel and Stella - Fourth Song.

By Philip Sidney (Sir)

Onely Ioy, now here you are, Fit to heare and ease my care, Let my whispering voyce obtaine Sweete reward for sharpest paine; Take me to thee, and thee to mee: No, no, no, no, my Deare, let bee. Night hath closde all in her cloke, Twinkling starres loue-thoughts prouoke, Danger hence, good care doth keepe, Iealouzie hemselfe doth sleepe; Take me to thee, and thee to mee: No, no, no, no, my Deare, let bee. Better place no wit can finde, Cupids knot to loose or binde; These sweet flowers our fine bed too, Vs in their best language woo: Take me to thee, and thee to mee: No, no, no, no, my Deare, let bee. This small light the moone bestowes Serues thy beames but to disclose; So to raise my hap more hie, Feare not else, none vs can spie; Take me to thee, and thee to mee: No, no, no, no, my Deare, let bee. That you heard was but a mouse, Dumbe Sleepe holdeth all the house: Yet asleepe, me thinkes they say, Yong fooles take time while you may; Take me to thee, and thee to mee: No, no, no, no, my Deare, let bee. Niggard time threates, if we misse This large offer of our blisse, Long stay, ere he graunt the same: Sweet, then, while ech thing doth frame, Take me to thee, and thee to mee: No, no, no, no, my Deare, let bee. Your faire Mother is abed, Candles out and curtaines spred; She thinkes you do letters write; Write, but first let me endite; Take me to thee, and thee to mee: No, no, no, no, my Deare, let bee. Sweete, alas, why striue you thus? Concord better fitteth vs; Leaue to Mars the force of hands, Your power in your beautie stands; Take me to thee, and thee to mee: No, no, no, no, my Deare, let bee. Wo to mee, and do you sweare Me to hate, but I forbeare? Cursed be my destines all, That brought me so high to fall; Soone with my death I will please thee: No, no, no, no, my Deare, let bee.