The Poetry Corner

Astrophel and Stella - Sonnet XXVI

By Philip Sidney (Sir)

Though dustie wits dare scorne Astrologie, And fooles can thinke those lampes of purest light Whose numbers, waies, greatnesse, eternity, Promising wonders, wonder do inuite To haue for no cause birthright in the sky But for to spangle the black weeds of Night; Or for some brawl which in that chamber hie, They should still dance to please a gazers sight. For me, I do Nature vnidle know, And know great causes great effects procure; And know those bodies high raigne on the low. And if these rules did fail, proof makes me sure, Who oft fore-see my after-following race, By only those two starres in Stellaes face.