January Twenty-Fourth

ASTROPHEL and STELLA XXX: "With How Sad Steps, O Moon, Thou Climb'st the Skies"

WITH how sad steps, O Moon, thou climb'st the skies!
How silently, and with how wan a face!
What! may it be that even in heavenly place
That busy archer his sharp arrows tries?
Sure, if that long-with-love-acquainted eyes
Can judge of love, thou feel'st a lover's case:
I read it in thy looks; thy languished grace
To me, that feel the like, thy state descries,
Then, even of fellowship, O Moon, tell me,
Is constant love deemed there but want of wit?
Are beauties there as proud as here they be?
Do they above love to be loved, and yet
Those lovers scorn whom that love doth possess?
Do they call "virtue" there - ungratefulness?

-- SIR PHILIP SIDNEY (1554-1586)
One of the most influential poets of the Renaissance. He was 32 when he died of a musket wound. Popular and revered - "Farewell, the worthiest knight that lived," Londoners cried out during his funeral procession - he was adored by both queen and commoner. His sonnet series, "Astrophel and Stella," brings the star lover (Astrophel) in search of his unrequited star (Stella). The book opens as follows: "Come let me write. And to what end? To ease / A burdened heart." thanks to David Biespiel, special to the Oregonian newspaper, Jan. 24, 2010