Michael Nyman Band, Marie Angel, Ute Lemper & Deborah Conway The Masque song lyrics
Michael Nyman Band, Marie Angel, Ute Lemper & Deborah Conway The Masque song lyrics
Ceres, most bounteous lady, thy rich leas
Of wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats and peas;
Thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep,
And flat meads thatched with stover, them to keep;
and thy broom-groves,
Whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves,
Being lass-lorn; the Queen o'th'Sky,
Whose watery arch and messenger am I,
Bids thee leave these, and with her sovereign grace,
Here on this grass-plot, in this very place
To come and sport. Her peacocks fly amain.
Approach, rich Ceres, her to entertain.
Hail, many-coloured messenger, that ne'er
Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter;
Who with thy saffron wings upon my flowers
Diffusest honey-drops, refreshing showers,
And with each end of thy blue bow dost crown
My bosky acres and my unshrubbed down,
Rich scarf to my proud earth. Why hath thy queen
Summoned me hither to this short-grassed green?
A contract of true love to celebrate;
And some donation freely to estate
On the blest lovers.
Tell me, heavenly bow,
If Venus or her son, as thou dost know,
Do now attend the queen.
Of her society
Be not afraid. I met her deity.
Cutting the clouds towards Pathos and her son
Dove-drawn with her. Here thought they to have done
Some wanton charm upon this man and miad,
Whose vows are that no bed-right shall be paid
Till Hymen's torch be lighted but in vain.
Mars's hot minion is returned again.
Her waspish-headed son has broke his arrows,
Swears he will shoot no more, (x2(but play with sparrows
And be a boy right out.)
High'st queen of state,
Great Juno, comes; I know her by her gait.
How does my bounteous sister? Go with me
To bless this twain, that they may Prospus be
And honoured in their issue.
Honour, riches, marriage-blessing,
Long continuance, and increasing,
Hourly joys be still upon you!
Juno sings her blessings [up]on you.
Earth's increase, foison plenty,
Barns and garners never empty,
Vines and clust'ring bunches growing,
Plants and goodly burden bowing;
Spring come to you at the farthest
In the very end of harvest!
Scarcity and want shall shun you,
Juno sings her blessings [up]on you.
Juno does command.
(x2(Come, temperate nymphs, and help to celebrate
A contract of true love. Be not too late.)
--[The Tempest Act IV scene I 68-148]