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How oft when thou my musicke musicke playst,
Upon that blessed wood whose motion sounds
With thy sweet fingers when thou gently swayst,
The witty concord that mine eare confounds,
Do I envie those Jackes that nimble leape,
To kisse the tender inward of thy hand,
Whilst my poore lips which should that harvest reape,
At the woods bouldnes by thee blushing stand.
To be so tikled they would change their state,
And situation with those dancing chips,
Ore whome thy fingers walke with gentle gate,
Making dead wood more blest than living lips,
Since saucie Jackes so happy are in this,
Give them thy fingers, me thy lips to kisse.
Commentary
Commentary
Addressed to a woman playing the virginals
Addressed to a woman playing the virginals
The first quatrain comments on his mistress (my musicke) playing musicke on the virginals.
The second quatrain expresses the poet's desire that she would touch him as her hands touch the keys.
The third quatrain extends the comparison between the blessed state of the keys and his desire to be so caressed by the woman.
The final couplet encourages her to continue giving the caresses of her fingers to the keys, but to let him have her lips to kiss.
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