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1. 
   epollock Teacher
   High School - 12th Grade

   naominaru,

   Sonnet 31 is probably one of Sir Philip Sidney's most famous poems.  It is a wonderful sonnet, rich in apostrophe, with a very unique rhyme scheme in comparison to Shakespearean, Spenserian, or even Petrarchan sonnets.

   The poem is as follows:

   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 languisht 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?

   Someone sees the moon climbing in the sky at night, and he recognizes in its pale face the same love-sickness that he experiences. He thinks that even in the heights of the sky, Cupid's arrows are strong enough to reach the moon. Then, he becomes completely convinced that the moon is lovesick. He recognizes its appearance and attitude because they are the same appearance and attitude that he recognizes in himself. He then asks the moon questions what life and love are like upon its surface.

   The rhyme scheme of the poem is:

   A-B-B-A, A-B-B-A, C-D-C-D, E-E

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/poetry-criticism/sidney-philip

   http://www.enotes.com/sir-philip-sidney-salem/sir-philip-...

   http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/stella31.htm

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   Posted by epollock on Sunday May 17, 2009 at 10:54 PM