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vi ''ASTROPHRL AND STELLA" 121

Sometimes a motive from external life supplies the
poet with a single lyric, which seems to interrupt the
lover's monologue. Sometimes he strikes upon a vein
BO fruitful that it yields a succession of linked sonnets
and intercalated songs.

1 have attempted to explain why I regard Astropliel
and tfMld. as a single whole, the arrangement of which
does not materially differ from that intended by its
author. I have also expressed my belief that it was
written after Penelope Devereux became Lady Rich.
This jus titles me in saying, as I did upon a former page,
that the exact date of her marriage seems to me no
matter of vital importance in Sir .Philip Sidney's bio-
graphy. My theory of the love which it portrays, is
that this was latent up to the time of her betrothal, and
that the consciousness of the irrevocable at that moment
made it break into the kind of regretful passion which is
peculiarly suited for poetic treatment. Stella may have
wasted some of Philip's time; but it is clear that she be-
haved honestly, and to her lover helpfully, by the firm but
gentle refusal of his overtures. Throughout these poems,
though I recognise their very genuine emotion, I cannot
help discerning the note of what may be described as
poetical exaggeration. In other words, I do not believe
that Sidney would in act have really gone so far as he
professes to desire. On paper it was easy to demand
more than seriously, in hot or cold blood, he would have
attempted. To this artistic exaltation of a real feeling
the .chosen form, of composition both traditionally and
artistically lent itself. Finally, when all those points
have been duly considered, we must not forget that
society at that epoch.was lenient, if not lax, in matters



	vi ''ASTROPHRL AND STELLA" 121 Sometimes a motive from external life supplies the poet with a single lyric, which seems to interrupt the lover's monologue. Sometimes he strikes upon a vein BO fruitful that it yields a succession of linked sonnets and intercalated songs. 1 have attempted to explain why I regard Astropliel and tfMld. as a single whole, the arrangement of which does not materially differ from that intended by its author. I have also expressed my belief that it was written after Penelope Devereux became Lady Rich. This jus titles me in saying, as I did upon a former page, that the exact date of her marriage seems to me no matter of vital importance in Sir .Philip Sidney's bio- graphy. My theory of the love which it portrays, is that this was latent up to the time of her betrothal, and that the consciousness of the irrevocable at that moment made it break into the kind of regretful passion which is peculiarly suited for poetic treatment. Stella may have wasted some of Philip's time; but it is clear that she be- haved honestly, and to her lover helpfully, by the firm but gentle refusal of his overtures. Throughout these poems, though I recognise their very genuine emotion, I cannot help discerning the note of what may be described as poetical exaggeration. In other words, I do not believe that Sidney would in act have really gone so far as he professes to desire. On paper it was easy to demand more than seriously, in hot or cold blood, he would have attempted. To this artistic exaltation of a real feeling the .chosen form, of composition both traditionally and artistically lent itself. Finally, when all those points have been duly considered, we must not forget that society at that epoch.was lenient, if not lax, in matters