III.

The heavenly branches did I see arise Out of the fresh and lustie lawrell tree, Amidst the yong greene wood of Paradise; Some noble plant I thought my selfe to see, Such store of birds therein yshrowded were, Chaunting in shade their sundrie melodie, That with their sweetness I was ravisht nere. While on this lawrell fixed was mine eie, The skie gan everie where to overcast, And darkened was the welkin all about, When sudden flash of heaven’s fire out brast, And rent this royall tree quite by the roote; Which makes me much, and ever, to complaine, For no such shadowe shal be had againe.