As Vesta Was from Latmos Hill

Diana

The madrigal, “As Vesta Was from Latmos Hill” (first 4 minutes and 10 seconds of the link) by English composer Thomas Weelkes (c. 1575-1623) was published in 1601 in The Triumphs of Oriana, a madrigal anthology for Queen Elizabeth I. A madrigal in the Renaissance (1450-1600) was a polyphonic vocal piece on a secular text.

Here are the lyrics:

As Vesta was from Latmos Hill descending,

She spied a maiden Queen the same ascending,

Attended on by all the shepherd's swain;

To whom Diana's darlings came running down amain

First two by two, then three by three together

Leaving their Goddess all alone, hasted thither;

And mingling with the shepherds of her train,

With mirthful tunes her presence did entertain.

Then sang the shepherds and nymphs of Diana:

Long live fair Oriana!

This delightful piece features numerous examples of text painting (for example, at “running down,” “first two by two, then three by three together,” and “all alone.”

This piece never fails to bring a smile to my face. Not bad for a piece nearly 400 years old!

Note: the next piece, “Dessus le marché d'Arras” embodies some of the dramatic, demonstrative features of Renaissance madrigals.