The Poetry Corner

Astrophel and Stella - Sonnet XXX

By Philip Sidney (Sir)

Whether the Turkish new moone minded be To fill her hornes this yeere on Christian coast; How Poles right king means without leaue of host To warm with ill-made fire cold Muscouy; If French can yet three parts in one agree: What now the Dutch in their full diets boast; How Holland hearts, now so good townes be lost, Trust in the shade of pleasant Orange-tree; How Vlster likes of that same golden bit Wherewith my father once made it half tame; If in the Scotch Court be no weltring yet; These questions busy wits to me do frame: I, cumbred with good manners, answer doe, But know not how; for still I thinke of you.