The Poetry Corner

Astrophel and Stella - Sonnet LXXXIII

By Philip Sidney (Sir)

Good brother Philip, I haue borne you long; I was content you should in fauour creepe, While craftely you seem'd your cut to keepe, As though that faire soft hand did you great wrong: I bare with enuie, yet I bare your song, When in her necke you did loue-ditties peepe; Nay (more foole I) oft suffred you to sleepe In lillies neast where Loues selfe lies along. What, doth high place ambitious thoughts augment? Is sawcinesse reward of curtesie? Cannot such grace your silly selfe content, But you must needs with those lips billing be, And through those lips drinke nectar from that toong? Leaue that, Syr Phip, least off your neck be wroong!