The Message

Ye little birds that sit and sing

Amidst the shady valleys,

And see how Phillis sweetly walks

Within her garden-alleys;

Go, pretty birds, about her bower;

Sing, pretty birds, she may not lower;

Ah me! methinks I see her frown!

Ye pretty wantons, warble.

Go tell her through your chirping bills,

As you by me are bidden,

To her is only known my love,

Which from the world is hidden.

Go, pretty birds, and tell her so,

See that your notes strain not too low,

For still methinks I see her frown;

Ye pretty wantons, warble.

Go tune your voices' harmony

And sing, I am her lover;

Strain loud and sweet, that every note

With sweet content may move her:

And she that hath the sweetest voice,

Tell her I will not change my choice:

—Yet still methinks I see her frown!

Ye pretty wantons, warble.

O fly! make haste! see, see, she falls

Into a pretty slumber!

Sing round about her rosy bed

That waking she may wonder: