Red Roses
If Orpheus voyce had force to breathe such musicks love by Sir Philip Sidney
chosen by Peter
If Orpheus voyce had force to breathe such musicks love
Through porres of senselesse trees, as it could make them move;
If stones good measure daunc'd, the Theban walls to build,
To cadence of the tunes, which Amphions lyre did yeeld,
More cause a like effect at least wise bringeth:
O stones, o trees, learne bearing, Stella singeth.
If Love might sweet'n so a boy of shepheard brood,
To make a Lyzard dull to taste Loves dainty food:
If Eagle fierce could so in Grecian Mayd delight,
As his light was her eyes, her death his endlesse night:
Earth gave that Love, heav'n I trow Love refineth:
O beast, O birds looke, Love, lo, Stella shineth.
The birds, beasts, stones and trees feele this, and feeling Love:
And if the trees nor stones stirre not the fame to prove,
Nor beast, nor birds do come unto this blessed gaze,
Know, that small Love is quicke, and great Love doth amaze:
They are amaz'd, but you with reason armed,
O eyes, O eares of men, how are you charm'd!
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