Superius Psalmes, Sonets, & Songs of sadnes and pietie, made into Musicke of fiue parts: whereof, some of them going abroad among diuers, in untrue coppies, are heere truely corrected, and th'other being Songs very rare & newly composed, are heere published, for the recreation of all such as delight in Musick: By William Byrd |
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| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIIII. |
| XV. |
| XVI. | XVI. O you that heare this voyce |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
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 | Superius |  |
XVI. O you that heare this voyce
1
O you, that heare this voice,O you that see this face,
say whether of the choise
may haue the former place:
Who dare iudge this debate,
though it be voide of hate:
2
this side doth beautie take,for that doth Musicke speak,
fit Orators to make,:
the strongest iudgements weak.
The bar to plead their right,
is onely true delight,
3
Thus doth the voyce and face,these gentle lawiers wage:
like louing brothers cast.
for fathers heritage:
that ech, while ech contends,
it selfe to other lends.
4
For beautie beautifies,with heauenly hewe and grace,
the heauenly harmonies,
and in that faultles face,
the perfect beauties be,
a perfect harmonie.
5
Musicke more loftie swells,in phrases finely plac'd:
Beautie as farre excels,
in action aptly grac'd:
a friend ech partie drawes,
to countenance his cause.
6
Loue more affected seemes,to Beauties louelie light,
and wonder more esteemes,
of Musicke wond'rous might,
but both to both so bent,
as both in both are spent.
7
Musicke doth witnesse call,the eare his truth doth trie:
Beautie brings to the hall,
eye witnesse of the eye
eche in his obiect such,
as none exceptions touch,
8
The cōmon sense which might,be arbiter of this:
to be forsoth vpright,
to both sides parciall is:
he layes on this chiefe prayse,
chiefe praise on that he layes.
9
Then reason, princesse hie,which sits in throne of mind:
and Musicke can in skye,
with hidden beauties find,
say whether thou wilt crowne,
with limit lesse renowne.
FINIS.
| Superius | |