The Poetry Corner

Astrophel and Stella - Seuenth Song.

By Philip Sidney (Sir)

Whose senses in so euill consort their stepdame Nature laies, That rauishing delight in them most sweete tunes do not raise; Or if they do delight therein, yet are so closde with wit, As with ententious lips to set a title vaine on it; O let them heare these sacred tunes, and learne in Wonders scholes, To be, in things past bounds of wit, fooles: if they be not fooles. Who haue so leaden eyes, as not to see sweet Beauties show, Or, seeing, haue so wooden wits, as not that worth to know, Or, knowing, haue so muddy minds, as not to be in loue, Or, louing, haue so frothy thoughts, as eas'ly thence to moue; O let them see these heau'nly beames, and in faire letters reede A lesson fit, both sight and skill, loue and firme loue to breede. Heare then, but then with wonder heare, see, but adoring, see, No mortall gifts, no earthly fruites, now here descended be: See, doo you see this face? a face, nay, image of the skies, Of which the two life-giuing lights are figur'd in her eyes: Heare you this soule-inuading voice, and count it but a voice? The very essence of their tunes, when angels do reioyce.