As deadly serpents lurking

Thomas Weelkes was a prominent English composer of the late Renaissance and early Jacobean periods. He is best known for his madrigals and anthems. This SAB setting, As deadly serpents lurking, is a secular part-song typical of the era. The text expresses a strong sentiment against envious detractors, contrasting their malicious intent with the noble pursuit of fame through virtue, labour, art, and learning. The composer encourages facing scrutiny from learned critics and those of discerning character, rather than succumbing to the slander of petty critics like Momus and Zoilus. Weelkes's masterful handling of vocal lines brings out the dramatic and rhetorical force of the words.