With wreaths of rose and laurel

Song Meaning

This pastoral scene unfolds with an almost theatrical flourish, calling shepherds to withdraw and strew paths with flowers. The dominant tone is one of reverent anticipation, a grand welcome for approaching divine figures. It paints a picture of nature itself pausing, with birds chirping sweetly and beasts running as if in excited procession, all gazing in awe at the spectacle of "bright stars blazing." The central tension arises from the juxtaposition of earthly shepherds and nymphs with celestial "bright stars" and "powers divine." The arrival of "Dian bravely treading / Her dainty daughter leading" suggests a powerful, almost regal procession. The natural world, from the "shepherds" to the "birds" and "swift beasts," is depicted as collectively amazed and deferential, preparing to honor these elevated beings. The craft here lies in the elevated, almost ceremonial language that imbues the scene with a sense of sacredness. Phrases like "powers divine do veil their bonnets" and the instruction to "sound your pastoral sonnets" create a formal, celebratory atmosphere. The imagery of nature's stillness and awe, contrasted with the active, divine procession, amplifies the grandeur of the moment, culminating in the unified acclamation: "Long live fair Oriana." This lyrical construction is effective because it builds a palpable sense of occasion and collective admiration. The detailed, almost stage-managed description of nature's reaction—the pausing beasts, the chirping birds—makes the divine arrival feel like a momentous event that commands the attention of all creation. The final, unified chant solidifies the celebratory and honorific purpose of the entire scene.