English elegies . this pair of lovers true,Transformed them, there lying on the field,Into one flower that is both red and blue;It first grows red, and then to blue doth fade,Like Astrophel, which thereinto was made. And in the midst thereof a star fairly formed as any star in skies;Resembling Stella in her freshest darting beams of beauty from her eyes :And all the day it standeth full of dew,Which is the tears, that from her eyes did flow. That herb of some Starlight is called by name, Of others Penthia, though not so v^ell: But thou, wherever thou dost find the same.
English elegies . this pair of lovers true,Transformed them, there lying on the field,Into one flower that is both red and blue;It first grows red, and then to blue doth fade,Like Astrophel, which thereinto was made. And in the midst thereof a star fairly formed as any star in skies;Resembling Stella in her freshest darting beams of beauty from her eyes :And all the day it standeth full of dew,Which is the tears, that from her eyes did flow. That herb of some Starlight is called by name, Of others Penthia, though not so v^ell: But thou, wherever thou dost find the same. From this day forth do call it Astrophel: And, whensoever thou it up do take. Do pluck it softly for that shepherds sake. Hereof when tidings far abroad did shepherds all which loved him full sure full dear of all he loved thither flock to see what they did when that piteous spectacle they viewed,The same with bitter tears they all bedewed. * companion. SPENSER And every one did. That froni that hour, since first on grassy greenShepherds kept sheep, was fiot like mourning seen. But first his sister that Clorinda gentlest shepherdess that lives this most resembling both in shape and sprightHer brother dear, began this doleful , lest I mar the sweetness of the sort as she it sung I will rehearse. THE DOLEFUL LAY OF CLORINDA [These verses are supposed to have been written by Mary,Countess of Pembroke, Sir Philip Sidneys sister j but I havebeen unable to resist a suspicion {entertained, I have sinceseen, also by Mr F. T. Palgrave ; see Grosarfs Spenser,vol. iv. ciii.) that it was freely revised, or evett written bySpenser. Certainly the resemblance to his style is vetystriking in places. Mr Palgrave remarks that themystificatio7t would be quite in accordance with the mysticalcharacter of the Introduction.^^ Aye me! to whom shall I my case complain,That may compassion my impatient grief?Or where shall I unfold my
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