Sir Philip Sidney(1554–1586)

Seventh Song ("Whose senses in so evil consort, their stepdame Nature lays")

Whose senses in so evil consort,4 their stepdame Nature lays,

That ravishing delight in them most sweet tunes do not raise;

Or if they do delight therein, yet are so cloyed 0 with wit, sated, burdened

As with sententious 0 lips to set a title vain on it:full of maxims

O let them hear these sacred tunes, and learn in wonder's

schools,

To be (in things past bounds of wit) fools, if they be not fools.5

Who have so leaden eyes, as not to see sweet beauty's show,

Or seeing, have so wooden 0 wits, as not that worth to know;dull

Or knowing, have so muddy minds, as not to be in love;

Or loving, have so frothy 0 thoughts, as eas'ly thence toshallow, trifling

move:

Or let them see these heavenly beams, and in fair letters read

A lesson fit, both sight and skill, love and firm love to breed.

Hear then, but then with wonder hear; see but adoring see,

No mortal gifts, no earthly fruits, now here descended be;

See, do you see this face a face nay, image of the skies,

Of which the two life-giving lights6 are figured in her eyes:

Hear you this soul-invading voice, and count it but a voice

The very essence of their tunes, when Angels do rejoice.