1. In a grove most rich of shade,
Where birds wanton music made,
May then in his pied weeds showing,
New perfumes with flow’rs fresh growing.
2. Astrophel with Stella sweet
Did for mutual comfort meet,
Both within themselves oppressed,
But either in each other blessed.
3. Him great harms had taught such care,
Her fair neck a foul yoke bare;
But her sight his care did banish,
In his sight her yoke did vanish.
4. Wept they had, alas the while,
But now tears themselves did smile,
While their eyes, by love directed,
Interchangeably reflected.
5. Sigh’d they had: but now betwixt
Sighs of woe were glad sighs mix’d,
With arms cross’d yet testifying
Restless rest, and living dying.
6. Their ears hungry of each word
Which the dear tongue would afford;
But their tongues restrain’d from walking,
Till their hearts had ended talking.
7. But when their tongues could not speak,
Love itself did silence break:
Love did set his lips asunder,
Thus to speak in love and wonder.
8. Stella, sovereign of my joy,
Fair triumpher of annoy;
Stella, star of heavenly fire,
Stella, lodestar of desire.
9. Stella, in whose shining eyes
Are the lights of Cupid’s skies,
Whose beams when they are once darted,
Love therewith is straight imparted.
10. Stella, whose voice when it speaks
Senses all asunder breaks;
Stella, whose voice when it singeth,
Angels to acquaintance bringeth.
11. Stella, in whose body is
Writ each character of bliss;
Whose face all beauty passeth,
Save thy mind, which yet surpasseth.
12. Grant, O grant; but speech, alas,
Fails me, fearing on to pass:
Grant, O me, what am I saying?
But no fault there is in praying.
13. Grant, O dear! on knees I pray
(Knees on ground he then did stay),
That, not I, but since I love you,
Time and place for me may move you.
14. Never season was more fit,
Never room more apt for it;
Smiling air allows my reason;
These birds sing: now use the season.
15. This small wind, which so sweet is,
See how it the leaves doth kiss;
Each tree in his best attire,
Sense of love to love inspiring.
16. Love makes earth the water drink,
Love to earth makes water sink,
And if dumb things be so witty,
Shall a heavenly grace want pity?
17. There his hands (in their speech) fain
Would have made tongues’ language plain;
But her hands his hands compelling,
Gave repulse, all grace expelling.
18. Therewithal, away she went,
Leaving him with passions rent,
With what she had done and spoken,
That therewith my song is broken.
