A Roundelay between two Shepherds

1 Shep. Tell me, thou gentle shepherd swain,
Who's yonder in the vale is set ?
2 Shep. Oh, it is she, whose sweets do stain
The lily, rose, the violet !

1 Shep. Why doth the sun against his kind
Fix his bright chariot in the skies ?
2 Shep. Because the sun is stricken blind
With looking on her heavenly eyes.

1 Shep. Why do thy flocks forbear their food,
Which sometime were thy chief delight ?
2 Shep. Because they need no other good
That live in presence of her sight.

1 Shep. Why look these flowers so pale and ill,
That once attired this goodly heath ?
2 Shep. She hath robb'd Nature of her skill.
And sweetens all things with her breath.

1 Shep. Why slide these brooks so slow away.
Whose bubbling murmur pleased thine ear ?
2 Shep. Oh, marvel not although they stay,
When they her heavenly voice do hear !

From whence come all these shepherd swains,
And lovely nymphs attired in green ?
Shep. From gathering garlands on the plains.
To crown our fair the shepherds' queen.

Both. The sun that lights this world below,
Flocks, flowers, and brooks will witness bear :
These nymphs and shepherds all do know,
That it is she is only fair.