Guillaume Tessier (sec. XVI): In a grove most rich of shade, ayre su testo di Philip Sidney (da Astrophel and Stella). Versione per 1 voce e liuto: Emily van Evera e Paul O’Dette; versione per 2 voci e liuto: Emma Kirkby, soprano; David Thomas, basso; Anthony Rooley, liuto.
In a grove most rich of shade
where birds wanton music made,
May then in his pied weeds showing,
new perfumes with flowers fresh growing.
Astrophel with Stella sweet
did for mutual comfort meet
both within themselves oppressed,
but each in the other blessed.
Him great harms had taught much care,
Her fair neck a foul yoke bare;
But her sight his cares did banish,
In his sight her yoke did vanish.
Wept they had, alas the while,
But now tears themselves did smile,
While their eyes, by love directed,
Interchangeably reflected.
Sigh they did, but now betwixt
Sighs of woe were glad sighs mixt;
With arms crossed, yet testifying
Restless rest, and living dying.
Their ears hungry of each word
Which the dear tongue would afford;
But their tongues restrained from walking,
Till their hearts had ended talking.
But when their tongues could not speak,
Love itself did silence break:
Love did set his lips asunder,
Thus to speak in love and wonder.
Therewithal away she went,
Leaving him so passion, rent
With what she had done and spoken,
That therewith my song is broken.
In a grove most rich of shade è l’ottava canzone di Astrophel and Stella: il testo è stato adattato a una composizione che il francese Guillaume Tessier aveva inserito nel proprio Premier Livre d’Airs tant en François, Italien qu’Espaignol…, edito a Parigi nel 1582 con una dedica (in italiano) «alla Sereniss. e Sacratiss. Regina d’Inghilterra»; è probabile che Sidney conoscesse personalmente Tessier.
Il brano venne poi ripubblicato da Robert Dowland (1591 - 1641) nella raccolta A Musicall Banquet (Londra 1610, n. VII), antologia dedicata a sir Robert Sidney, fratello di Philip e padrino del curatore.
la regina gioiosa 