The Poetry Corner

Astrophel and Stella - Sonnet XV

By Philip Sidney (Sir)

You that do search for euery purling spring Which from the ribs of old Parnassus flowes, And euery flower, not sweet perhaps, which growes Neere thereabouts, into your poesie wring; Ye that do dictionaries methode bring Into your rimes, running in rattling rowes; You that poore Petrarchs long deceased woes With new-borne sighes and denisen'd wit do sing; You take wrong wayes; those far-fet helps be such As do bewray a want of inward tuch, And sure, at length stol'n goods doe come to light: But if, both for your loue and skill, your name You seek to nurse at fullest breasts of Fame, Stella behold, and then begin to indite.