Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg
Astrophel and Stella Sonnet 30: Philip Sidney (1581)
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Conquest Constantinople Mehmed and the Ottoman Army: 1454
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Philip Sidney's sonnets in "Astrophel and Stella" are basically in
Petrarchan form, using the scheme ABBA·ABBA CDE·CDE
"Astro" means "stars", "phil" means love, "Stella"
means star; thus "Astrophel and Stella" means He who loves
stars (Philip Sidney) that loves the star Stella, or in short:
Philip Sidney: he who loves Stella.
Whether the Turkish new moon minded be
To fill his horns this year on Christian coast?
How Pole's right king means without leave of host
To warm with ill-made fire cold Muscovy?
If French can yet three parts in one agree?
What now the Dutch in their full diets boast?
How Holland hearts, now so good towns be lost,
Trust in the shade of pleasing Orange tree?
How Ulster likes of that same golden bit
Wherewith my father once made it half tame?
If in Scottish Court be weltering yet?
These questions busy wits to me do frame;
I, cumber'd with good manners, answer do,
But know not how: for still I think of you.
Commentary:
In 1581, a Turkish campaign was expected. Henry of Valois left
the throne of Poland for France. Some Turkish maps showed France
as part of the Ottoman Empire. The Polish Sejm (parliament) elected
Stephen Báthori, Voivode of Transylvania, Prince of
Transylvania, Grand Duke of Lithuania, as King of Poland in 1575.
In 1581, Muscovy defeated Poland/Lithuania. The true King of Poland
was now contested. Philip Sidney was now a possible King of Poland.
Thus Sidney questions who is the right King. The reference to
the "moon" refers to the horns of the Cresent on the Turkish flags.
In the second quatrain, How is it that the three disputing French
parties can agree (Catholics; Calvinists [Huguenots]; Politiques)?
Holland also inable to unite under the Duke of Anjou or the Prince
of Orange who led the Dutch revolt?
In the first tercet of the terminal sestet, Sidney refers to his
father, the lord deputy of Ireland, that subdued half of Ireland,
and had he not done so, the Scottish Court would still be dithering
(vacillating).
Busy wits frame these questions to me, and in good manners, answer
but I know not how to answer, 'cause I busily think only of you, Stella!
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