The Poetry Corner

Astrophel and Stella - Sonnet LXXXVII

By Philip Sidney (Sir)

When I was forst from Stella euer deere, Stella, food of my thoughts, hart of my hart; Stella, whose eyes make all my tempests cleere, By Stellas lawes of duetie to depart; Alas, I found that she with me did smart; I saw that teares did in her eyes appeare; I sawe that sighes her sweetest lips did part, And her sad words my sadded sense did heare. For me, I wept to see pearles scatter'd so; I sigh'd her sighes, and wailed for her wo; Yet swam in ioy, such loue in her was seene. Thus, while th' effect most bitter was to me, And nothing then the cause more sweet could be, I had bene vext, if vext I had not beene.