Song Meaning
The narrator witnesses his lady crying, a sight that paradoxically elevates sorrow itself. It's not just sadness; it's a profound display of woe emanating from eyes described as holding "all perfection." This moment captures a specific, almost theatrical, sadness that is more captivating than simple joy.
The core tension lies in the contrast between the lady's evident distress and its strangely alluring effect. Her "face was full of woe," yet this woe is presented as something that "wins more hearts / Than mirth can do." The lyrics suggest that her suffering, rather than repelling, draws people in, highlighting a complex human response to vulnerability.
The most striking craft element is the personification of sorrow as being "proud to be advanced so." This elevates her tears from a simple expression of pain to a state of being that commands attention and admiration. The juxtaposition of "sorrow proud" and "fair eyes, where all perfection's kept" creates a powerful image of beauty intertwined with deep sadness.
This passage resonates because it articulates a nuanced emotional truth: that profound sadness, when displayed with grace, can possess a magnetic quality. The writing doesn't shy away from the discomfort of finding beauty in sorrow, instead leaning into the paradox to create a memorable and thought-provoking scene.
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