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Photo of Sir Philip Sidney

Sidney, Sir Philip

Sir Philip Sidney became one of the Elizabethan Age's most prominent figures. Famous in his day in England as a poet, courtier and soldier, he remains known as the author of Astrophel and Stella (1581, pub. 1591), The Defence of Poetry and The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia (1580, pub. 1590).. Elizabethan era English poet courtier and soldier

Email Poem - Astrophel And Stella - Sonnet CVIIIEmail Poem

Astrophel And Stella - Sonnet CVIII

 When Sorrow, using mine own fire's might,
 Melts down his lead into my boiling breast,
 Through that dark furnace to my heart oppressed,
There shines a joy from thee, my only light:
But soon as thought of thee breeds my delight,
 And my young soul flutters to thee, his nest,
 Most rude Despair, my daily unbidden guest,
Clips straight my wings, straight wraps me in his night,
 And makes me then bow down my head and say:
"Ah, what doth Phoebus' gold that wretch avail
Whom iron doors do keep from use of day?"
So strangely (alas) thy works in me prevail,
 That in my woes for thee thou art my joy,
 And in my joys for thee my only annoy.



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