The Poetry Corner

Astrophel and Stella - Sonnet XXXVI

By Philip Sidney (Sir)

Stella, whence doth these new assaults arise, A conquerd yeelding ransackt heart to winne, Whereto long since, through my long-battred eyes, Whole armies of thy beauties entred in? And there, long since, Loue, thy lieutenant, lies; My forces razde, thy banners raisd within: Of conquest, do not these effects suffice, But wilt new warre vpon thine own begin? With so sweet voice, and by sweet Nature so In sweetest stratagems sweete Art can show, That not my soul, which at thy foot did fall Long since, forc'd by thy beams, but stone nor tree, By Sences priviledge, can scape from thee!