Like to the Clear in Highest Sphere

Like to the Clear in Highest Sphere

(From "Rosalind")

Original Text
Thomas Lodge, Rosalynde. Euphues golden legacie (London: T. Orwin for T. G., 1590). STC 16664.
2Where all imperial glory shines,
3Of selfsame colour is her hair,
4Whether unfolded or in twines:
5      Heigh ho, fair Rosalind.
6Her eyes are sapphires set in snow,
7Refining heaven by every wink;
8The gods do fear whenas they glow,
9And I do tremble when I think:
10      Heigh ho, would she were mine.
11  Her cheeks are like the blushing cloud
12That beautifies Aurora's face,
13Or like the silver crimson shroud
14That Ph{oe}bus' smiling looks doth grace:
15      Heigh ho, fair Rosalind.
16Her lips are like two budded roses,
17Whom ranks of lilies neighbour nigh,
18Within which bounds she balm encloses,
19Apt to entice a deity:
20      Heigh ho, would she were mine.
21  Her neck, like to a stately tower
22Where Love himself imprison'd lies,
23To watch for glances every hour
24From her divine and sacred eyes:
25      Heigh ho, fair Rosalind.
26Her paps are centres of delight,
27Her paps are orbs of heavenly frame,
28Where Nature moulds the dew of light,
29To feed perfection with the same:
30      Heigh ho, would she were mine.
31  With orient pearl, with ruby red,
32With marble white, with sapphire blue,
33Her body every way is fed,
34Yet soft in touch, and sweet in view:
35      Heigh ho, fair Rosalind.
36Nature herself her shape admires,
37The gods are wounded in her sight,
38And Love forsakes his heavenly fires
39And at her eyes his brand doth light:
40      Heigh ho, would she were mine.
41  Then muse not, Nymphs, though I bemoan
42The absence of fair Rosalind,
43Since for her fair there is fairer none,
44Nor for her virtues so divine:
45      Heigh ho, fair Rosalind.
46    Heigh ho, my heart, would God that she were mine!

Notes

1] From the work from which Shakespeare drew the plot of As You Like It. This song is read by Rosader to the disguised Rosalind, who has questioned him concerning his love. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1590
RPO poem Editors
N. J. Endicott
RPO Edition
2RP.1.183; RPO 1996-2000.
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