142. When to Her Lute Corinna Sings

WHEN to her lute Corinna sings,

Her voice revives the leaden strings,

And doth in highest notes appear,

As any challenged echo clear;

But when she doth of mourning speak,

E’en with her sighs, the strings do break,

And as her lute doth live or die,

Led by her passion, so must I:

For when of pleasure she doth sing,

My thoughts enjoy a sudden spring,

But if she doth of sorrow speak,

E’en from my heart the strings do break.