Third Song: If Orpheus’ voice had force to breathe such music’s love

Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)

IF ORPHEUS’ voice had force to breathe such music’s love

Through pores of senseless trees, as it could make them move:

If stones good measure danced the Theban walls to build,

To cadence of the tunes which AMPHION’s lyre did yield:

More cause a like effect at least wise bringeth.

O stones! O trees! learn hearing! STELLA singeth!

If love might sweeten so a boy of shepherd brood,

To make a lizard dull, to taste love’s dainty food:

If eagle fierce could so in Grecian maid delight,

As his light were her eyes, her death his endless night:

Earth gave that love. Heaven, I trow, love refineth.

O beasts! O birds! look! love! lo, STELLA shineth!

The beasts, birds, stones and trees feel this; and feeling, love.

And if the trees nor stones stir not the same to prove;

Nor beasts nor birds do come unto this blessèd gaze:

Know that small love is quick, and great love doth amaze.

They are amazed: but you, with reason armed,

O eyes! O ears of men! how are you charmed!