The Poetry Corner

Astrophel and Stella - Sonnet CIV

By Philip Sidney (Sir)

Enuious wits, what hath bene mine offence, That with such poysonous care my lookes you marke, That to each word, nay sigh of mine, you harke, As grudging me my sorrowes eloquence? Ah, is it not enough, that I am thence, Thence, so farre thence, that scantly any sparke Of comfort dare come to this dungeon darke, Where Rigours exile lockes vp al my sense? But if I by a happie window passe, If I but stars vppon mine armour beare; Sicke, thirsty, glad (though but of empty glasse): Your morall notes straight my hid meaning teare From out my ribs, and, puffing, proues that I Doe Stella loue: fooles, who doth it deny?