To Nelly, a Songbird Divine
By William Shakespeare
O fairest muse, whose voice doth grace the air,
A lark that soars beyond the world’s despair.
Thy melody doth weave the stars above,
And bids the weary heart to dream of love.
When first I heard thy dulcet tune arise,
‘Twas as the dawn did paint the eastern skies.
Each note, a whisper from the gods on high,
Each word, a spell that makes the soul to fly.
Thy beauty, not of mortal form alone,
But in thy spirit, bright as gilded throne.
A queen unbound by sceptre, crown, or chain,
Yet ruling hearts with soft and sweet refrain.
O Nelly, if my pen had but the art,
To match the music streaming from thy heart,
Then would the ages sing thy name anew,
As I, in love, dost pledge my verse to you.