Note 183 — Chapter V
Elizabeth Lee translation
"Essayes," London, 1603, fol. Dedication of Book II. This "Epistle" is followed by two sonnets, one to each lady, again praising them for their connection with Sidney. The sonnet to Penelope begins thus:
"Madame, to write of you, and doe you right, What meane we, or what meanes to ayde meane might? Since HE who admirably did endite, Entiteling you perfections heire, joies light, Loves life, lifes gemme, vertues court, Heav'ns delight, Natures chiefe worke, fair'st booke, his muses spright, Heav'n on earth, peerlesse Phœnix, Phœbe bright, Yet said he was to seeke, of you to write" (p. 191).
This last line alludes to Astrophel's first sonnet to Stella (quoted below, p. 233).