Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg
Pamphilia to Amphilanthus: Lady Mary Wroth, Sonnet V, 1621
Lady Wroth was educated by her uncle, Philip sidney.
It was extremely unusual for a woman to be
highly educated, able to read and write. In fact, it
is likely that Lady Wroth was the most educated woman
in England at this time. Thus Lady Wroth could be
thought of as a "bas bleu" (a bluestocking:
intellectual woman), an early feminist.
Pamphilia to Amphilanthus: Lady Mary Wroth, Sonnet
quatrains are of the form AABB.
Pamphilia to Amphilanthus: Lady Mary Wroth, Sonnet V, 1621
CAn pleasing sight, misfortune euer bring?
Can firme desire a painefull torment trye?
Can winning eyes proue to the heart a sting?
Or can sweet lips in Treason hidden lye?
The Sunne most pleasing, blindes the strongest eye,
If two much look'd on, breaking the sights string;
Desires still crost must unto mischiefe hie,
And as Despaire, a lucklesse chance may fling.
Eyes hauing [won], reiecting proues a sting
Killing the budd before the tree doth spring;
Sweet lipps, not louing, doe as poyson proue:
Desire, sight, Eyes, lipps; seeke, see, proue, and finde,
You loue may winn, but curses if vnkinde,
Then show you harmes dislike, and ioy in loue.
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