Contrary to the tradition of examining “Prothalamion” (1596) as the second Epithalamion in the works of E. Spenser, the article focuses on the eulogy to Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, included in it. The comparison of Essex and suitors, related to him, with objects of the starry sky establishes a connection between “Prothalamion” and “The Ruines of Time” (1591), where celestial apotheosis of F. Sydney is celebrated. The hypothesis, explaining the choice of astronomical metaphors in “Prothalamion”, is proposed.