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XXVII. | XXVII. THE SHEPHERD'S DESCRIPTION OF LOVE. |
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Poems (1892) | ||
XXVII. THE SHEPHERD'S DESCRIPTION OF LOVE.
(Before 1600.)
Melibœus.
Shepherd, what's love, I pray thee tell?
Fau.
It is that fountain and that well
Where pleasure and repentance dwell;
It is perhaps that sauncing bell
79
And this is love as I heard tell.
Meli.
Yet what is love, I prithee say?
Fau.
It is a work on holiday;
It is December matched with May,
When lusty bloods, in fresh array,
Hear ten months after of the play;
And this is love as I hear say.
Meli.
Yet what is love, good shepherd, sain?
Fau.
It is a sunshine mixed with rain;
It is a tooth-ache, or like pain;
It is a game where none doth gain;
The lass saith no, and would full fain;
And this is love, as I hear sain.
Meli.
Yet, shepherd, what is love, I pray?
Fau.
It is a yea, it is a nay,
A pretty kind of sporting fray;
It is a thing will soon away;
Then, nymphs, take 'vantage while ye may;
And this is love, as I hear say.
Meli.
Yet what is love, good shepherd, show?
Fau.
A thing that creeps; it cannot go;
A prize that passeth to and fro;
A thing for one, a thing for moe;
And he that proves shall find it so;
And, shepherd, this is love, I trow.
[S. W. R.] Ignoto.
Poems (1892) | ||