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Binary Sonnet
By patterjack
31 December 2007
Gerard tossed Sir PhilipSidney at me after the Stephen D. verse

I had a close look once more at his relations with Penelope Rich/Devereux, that most interesting lady. At a time when feminism was hardly rampant , even under Lizzie I, she strikes me as one who could hold her own.

Philip, pioneer in poetry and criticism , courageous in both diplomacy and battle, nevertheless appears as unmanned before Penelope. 

In deference to his literary importance, I have watered down what began as a somewhat derogatory verse.

Sidney however is not my personal highly sugared cup of tea.



A  Binary  Sonnet

Astrophil regrets

I have trawled for every simile I could  find,

and raided the ancients for classical allusion

to fleshly beauties of every female kind

and have found them very useful in collusion.

I have netted your virtues tightly round with phrases

but the honeyed words brought little satisfaction

I should have  acted on chance, not sung your praises

nor yet let thoughts of honour  cause distraction.

Stella  reproves

It seems that you have caught the dreaded taint

of introspection, the bane of the sonneteer,

and every sighing out of  long   complaint

has tied your verse in lovers' knots, I fear.

You did not strike deep into true love's core

When once you could have.  Now you can no more.   

Reviews
aha!
Written by fellpony (1702 comments posted) 31st December 2007
I'm glad you managed to get something out of your acquaintance with Sir Philip :). Regarding feisty Elizabethan ladies, what about Bess of Hardwick, Countess of Shrewsbury?

Written by Phil (6951 comments posted) 31st December 2007
I like Stella's reply - a lesson there for some rhymers hereabouts. 
 
A case of carpe diem - in this case, in its literal translation - pluck the fruit (while it's ripe!) 
 
Enjoyed this Brian. Is the binary sonnet an invention of yours, or has it been around for ages. I've never come across it before (that I remember) but then, as you know, I've not exposed my self to that much poetry over the years.  
 
I've still to revisit your previous piece. Not forgotten. 
 
Probably just about New Year over there - so have a good one. 
 
All the best, 
 
Phil.

Written by Fledermaus (3477 comments posted) 31st December 2007
A rhyming duel :grin Great! Yesterday I wrote something with people quarreling in rhyme, but now that I see this I dare not post it, since this is superior by far. 
Absolutely wonderful.
"carpe diem"
Written by fellpony (1702 comments posted) 31st December 2007
literally = "seize the day" - not "pluck the fruit" ... though the implication may well fit. 
 
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may; 
Rheumatism may set in any day ...
Binary
Written by patterjack (1429 comments posted) 31st December 2007
I don't think I have invented anything new, Phil. And Maus may have hit the nail on the head with rhyming duels which might be a more apt context in which to use the word rather thanwithin a single poem .I used one definition of binary which I hoped fitted. 
 
I do know of one rather pleasant contention between two Oz poets, set up deliberately by both, to provide a partial income for the less popular one. Very charitable!  
 
By the way , Maus, do not be put off --please publish! 
 
I wonder , Phil, if you knew that Sidney may well have had the chance to pluck the fruit but I gather, chickened out. As Sue remarked, it seems the implication may indeed have been fitting. 
 
patterjack

Written by petetheverse (164 comments posted) 2nd January 2008
Most interesting this - rare to see the sonnet raising its unusual and beautiful tresses in these dark days; especially one about Sir Philip Sydney, whose image graced a stained glass window in the chapel of my innocent education; along with those of divers Grenfells, who were his noble contemporaries. Noble in the sense of noble men, rather than noblemen, who were frequently far from noble! 
The sonnet I have only once attempted; it fell on stony ground, I fear. 
Many, many more 'writers' here need go back to the roots of poetry, as you have done. As far as I can see, here 'verse' abounds; mostly bad verse; little poetry. 
You are carrying the torch of a noble art; may it light the dark corners I describe, causing bad English to creep out from its hiding places. Which are mostly in cyberspace, newspapers, pulp fiction and television. 
PTV
Thank you
Written by patterjack (1429 comments posted) 2nd January 2008
I have quite a few sonnets onsite -- you can find them on my profile. Their existence is probably due to the fact that in 1949 a couple of other students and I would reel from pub to pub in Sydney composing iambic pentameters about what we saw or heard. 
 
Good practice ( erm - the iambics , not the grog ) 
 
I appreciate your comments greatly. 
 
patterjack

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