VI. O Fair! O sweet! when I do look on thee

Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)

To the tune of the Spanish song Se tu señora no dueles de mi

O FAIR! O sweet! when I do look on thee,

In whom all joys so well agree;

Heart and soul do sing in me.

This you hear is not my tongue,

Which once said what I conceived;

For it was of use bereaved,

With a cruel answer stung.

No! though tongue to roof be cleaved,

Fearing lest he chastised be;

Heart and soul do sing in me.

O fair! O sweet! when I do look on thee,

In whom all joys so well agree;

Heart and soul do sing in me.

Just accord all music makes:

In thee just accord excelleth;

Where each part in such peace dwelleth,

One of other, beauty takes.

Since then truth to all minds telleth

That in thee, lives harmony:

Heart and soul do sing in me.

O fair! O sweet! when I do look on thee,

In whom all joys so well agree;

Heart and soul do sing in me.

They that heaven have known, do say

That whoso that grace obtaineth

To see what fair sight there reigneth,

Forcèd are to sing alway.

So then, since that heaven remaineth

In thy face, I plainly see:

Heart and soul do sing in me.

O fair! O sweet! when I do look on thee,

In whom all joys so well agree;

Heart and soul do sing in me.

Sweet! think not I am at ease,

For because my chief part singeth:

This song, from death’s sorrow springeth;

As to swan in last disease.

For no dumbness, nor death bringeth

Stay to true love’s melody:

Heart and soul do sing in me.