Michael Oration(1563–1631)
A Roundelay between Two Shepherds
Shep. Tell me, thou gentle shepherd swain,
Who's yonder in the vale is set
Shep. Oh, it is she, whose sweets do stain
The lily, rose, the violet!
Shep. Why doth the sun against his kind, 0nature
Fix his bright chariot in the skies2make motionless
Shep. Because the sun is stricken blind
With looking on her heavenly eyes.
Shep. Why do thy flocks forbear their food,
Which sometime 0 were thy chief delightformerly
Shep. Because they need no other good
That live in presence of her sight.
Shep. Why look these flowers so pale and ill,
That once attired this goodly heath
Shep. She hath robb'd Nature of her skill,
And sweetens all things with her breath.
Shep. Why slide these brooks so slow away,
Whose bubbling murmur pleased thine ear
Shep. Oh, marvel not although they stay, 0stand still
When they her heavenly voice do hear!
Shep. From whence come all these shepherd swains,
And lovely nymphs attired in green
Shep. From gathering garlands on the plains,
To crown our fair the shepherds' queen.
Both. The sun that lights this world below,
Flocks, flowers, and brooks will witness bear:
These nymphs and shepherds all do know,
That it is she is only fair.
FRM IDEA3