The Poetry Corner

Astrophel and Stella - Sonnet LVIII

By Philip Sidney (Sir)

Doubt there hath beene when with his golden chaine The orator so farre mens hearts doth bind, That no pace else their guided steps can find But as he them more short or slack doth raine; Whether with words this soueraignty he gaine, Cloth'd with fine tropes, with strongest reasons lin'd, Or else pronouncing grace, wherewith his mind Prints his owne liuely forme in rudest braine. Now iudge by this: in piercing phrases late Th' Anatomie of all my woes I wrate; Stellas sweet breath the same to me did reed. O voyce, O face! maugre my speeches might, Which wooed wo, most rauishing delight Euen those sad words euen in sad me did breed.