Song Meaning
This pastoral lyric paints a scene of celestial agreement, where Diana, the goddess of chastity, has brokered a truce with Love. The opening lines directly address "lovely saints above," urging them to witness this accord. The recurring "Fa la la" refrain injects a light, almost celebratory, tone, contrasting with the potential for sorrow implied by the mention of weeping ladies. It's a moment of divine intervention designed to bring about peace and joy.
The central tension seems to revolve around the potential for sorrow among "fair ladies" and the subsequent divine intervention to prevent it. The lyrics directly question "why weep ye?" and then offer reassurance that their "mistress bids you cease." This suggests a prior state of distress or mourning that is now being resolved through the actions of Diana and Love, who have "agreed" and "procured your peace."
The most striking craft element is the personification of abstract concepts like Love and the imagery of Cupid's "fiery weapon" and "bow forlorn." The idea of Love agreeing to remove his weapon and Cupid swearing to "break and burn" his bow is a powerful, albeit gentle, metaphor for the cessation of romantic turmoil or heartbreak. This imagery transforms the abstract into a tangible, almost dramatic, event.
These lyrics are effective because they create a vivid, almost theatrical, tableau of divine reconciliation. The direct address to the saints and ladies, combined with the cheerful "Fa la la," makes the resolution feel both grand and intimately personal. The promise of peace and the removal of Love's "weapon" offers a comforting resolution, suggesting that even romantic woes can be overcome through celestial harmony.
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