<p>MICHAEL DRAYTON: IDEA: ELIZABETHAN SONNET CYCLE</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>'P' Michael Drayton&rsquo;s &lsquo;Idea&rsquo; is one of the major Elizabethan sonnet sequences, reprinted here in an attractive new edition. '/P'&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>'P' &lsquo;Idea&rsquo; is a sonnet cycle of love poetry, and some of the finest verse in the English language. '/P'&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>'P' The book includes a note on Michael Drayton, illustrations, and suggestions for further reading. Each poem has a page to itself. It&#39;s a useful edition for students. '/P'&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>'P' Michael Drayton was born in 1563 in Warwickshire. He worked as a page (for Sir Henry Goodyere, an early patron, and later for Lucy, Countess of Bedford), and esquire (for Sir Walter Aston). As well as poems he wrote plays (1597-1602). He died in 1631 and is buried in Westminster Abbey. '/P'&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>'P' Michael Drayton&rsquo;s &lsquo;Idea In Sixtie Three Sonnets&rsquo; was revised a number of times by the author. It was published first in 1594, and was republished in 1599, 1600, 1602, 1605 and 1619. Anne Goodyere (the daughter of Sir Philip Sidney&rsquo;s friend Sir Henry Goodyere), is assumed to be the object of affection in the sonnet sequence (though it&rsquo;s not certain if they were romantically involved; Drayton remained a passionate admirer for most of his life, and hers. She was married to Sir Henry Rainsford from 1595 until Rainsford&rsquo;s death in 1622, after which Drayton continued as Anne&rsquo;s devotee). The name Idea also has Platonic associations. '/P'&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>'P' MICHAEL DRAYTON, SONNET 4, FROM &#39;IDEA&#39;: '/P'&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>'P' BRIGHT STAR of beauty, on whose eyelids sit | A thousand nymph-like and enamoured graces, | The goddesses of memory and wit, | Which there in order take their several places; | In whose dear bosom, sweet delicious love | Lays down his quiver which he once did bear, | Since he that blessed paradise did prove, | And leaves his mother&#39;s lap to sport him there | Let others strive to entertain with words | My soul is of a braver mettle made; | I hold that vile which vulgar wit affords; | In me&#39;s that faith which time cannot invade. | Let what I praise be still made good by you; | Be you most worthy whilst I am most true! 'P'&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>'P' Illustrated. Bibliography and note. 92 pages.&nbsp;</p><p>'P' www.crmoon.com</p><p>&nbsp;</p>