Humor say what makst thou here

Song Meaning

This lyrical exchange sets up a fascinating debate about the nature and purpose of humor, particularly within a formal setting implied by the "presence of a queen." The first voice questions humor's appropriateness, framing it as a "heavy laden mood" and later declaring themselves "drowned in woe." This voice seems to associate humor with lightness, perhaps even triviality, and struggles to reconcile it with profound sadness. The second voice, however, champions humor as "Invention's food" and essential for wit, arguing that "light'st things swim" while "Heavy things sink to the deep." This perspective suggests humor is a vital, buoyant force, capable of lifting spirits and fostering creativity. The tension arises from the first voice's perceived burden of sorrow versus the second voice's insistence on humor's inherent ability to transcend such weight. The chorus acts as a crucial, almost cynical, counterpoint, stating, "But never humour yet was true / But that which only pleaseth you." This line shifts the focus from an objective definition of humor to a subjective one, implying that humor's validity is entirely dependent on the audience's approval, specifically the "queen's." It suggests that humor, regardless of its intent or perceived lightness, must ultimately serve the powerful. Ultimately, the lyrics present a dynamic where one voice grapples with the oppressive weight of sadness, while the other advocates for humor's liberating power. The recurring chorus, however, casts a shadow, suggesting that even this liberating force is ultimately constrained by the need to appease authority, making its perceived truth a matter of political expediency rather than genuine expression.