From every hill and ancient grove around,
And to symphonious measures strike the ground.
Translation of J. H. Merivale.
PASTORAL SCENE FROM “THE ARCADIA.”
There were hills which garnished their proud heights with stately trees; humble valleys whose base estate seemed comforted with the refreshing of silver rivers; meadows enameled with all sorts of eye-pleasing flowers; thickets which, being lined with most pleasant shade, were witnessed so by the cheerful disposition of many well-tuned birds; each pasture stored with sheep feeding with sober security, while the pretty lambs, with bleating oratory, craved the dam’s comfort; here a shepherd’s boy piping, as though he should never be old; there a young shepherdess knitting, and withal singing, and it seemed that her voice comforted her hands to work, and her hands kept time to her voice-music.
Sir Philip Sidney, 1554–1586.
FROM THE “FAITHFUL SHEPHERDESS.”
Shepherds all, and maidens fair,
Fold your flocks up, for the air
'Gins to thicken, and the sun