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The Sheepheards Sunne.
Faire Nimphs, sit ye heere by me,
on this flowrie greene:
While we this merrie day doo see,
some things but sildome seene.
Sheepheards all, now come sit a-round,
on yond checquerd plaine:
While from the vvoods we heere resound,
some come for Loues paine.
Euery bird sits on his bowe,
As brag as he that is the best:
Then sweet Loue, reueale howe
our minds may be adrest?
Eccho thus replyed to mee,
Sit vnder yonder Beechen tree,
And there Loue shall shew thee
how all may be redrest.
on this flowrie greene:
While we this merrie day doo see,
some things but sildome seene.
Sheepheards all, now come sit a-round,
on yond checquerd plaine:
While from the vvoods we heere resound,
some come for Loues paine.
Euery bird sits on his bowe,
As brag as he that is the best:
Then sweet Loue, reueale howe
our minds may be adrest?
Sit vnder yonder Beechen tree,
And there Loue shall shew thee
how all may be redrest.
Harke, harke, harke the Nightingale,
in her mourning lay:
Shee tells her stories wofull tale,
to warne yee if shee may.
Faire maydes, take yee heede of loue,
it is a perlous thing:
As Philomele her selfe did proue,
abused by a King.
If Kings play false, beleeue no men,
That make a seemely outward show:
But caught once, beware then,
for then begins your woe.
They will looke babies in your eyes,
And speake so faire as faire may be:
But trust them in no wise,
example take by mee.
in her mourning lay:
Shee tells her stories wofull tale,
to warne yee if shee may.
Faire maydes, take yee heede of loue,
it is a perlous thing:
As Philomele her selfe did proue,
abused by a King.
If Kings play false, beleeue no men,
That make a seemely outward show:
But caught once, beware then,
for then begins your woe.
They will looke babies in your eyes,
And speake so faire as faire may be:
But trust them in no wise,
example take by mee.
Fie, fie, said the Threstle-cocke,
you are much too blame:
For one mans fault, all men to blot,
impayring theyr good name.
Admit you were vsde amisse,
by that vngentle King,
It followes not that you for this,
should all mens honours wring.
There be good, and there be bad,
And some are false, and some are true:
As good choyse is still had
amongst vs men, as you.
Women haue faultes as well as wee,
Some say for our one, they haue three.
Then smite not, nor bite not,
when you as faultie be.
you are much too blame:
For one mans fault, all men to blot,
impayring theyr good name.
Admit you were vsde amisse,
by that vngentle King,
It followes not that you for this,
should all mens honours wring.
There be good, and there be bad,
And some are false, and some are true:
As good choyse is still had
amongst vs men, as you.
Women haue faultes as well as wee,
Some say for our one, they haue three.
Then smite not, nor bite not,
when you as faultie be.
Peace, peace, quoth Madge-Howlet then,
sitting out of sight:
For women are as good as men,
and both are good alike.
Not so, said the little Wrenne,
difference there may be:
The Cocke alway commaunds the Hen,
then men shall goe for mee.
Then Robbin-Redbrest stepping in,
Would needs take vp this tedious strife,
Protesting, true-louing,
In eyther lengthened life.
If I loue you, and you loue mee,
Can there be better harmonie?
Thus ending, contending,
Loue must the vmpiere be.
sitting out of sight:
For women are as good as men,
and both are good alike.
Not so, said the little Wrenne,
difference there may be:
The Cocke alway commaunds the Hen,
then men shall goe for mee.
Then Robbin-Redbrest stepping in,
Would needs take vp this tedious strife,
Protesting, true-louing,
In eyther lengthened life.
If I loue you, and you loue mee,
Can there be better harmonie?
Thus ending, contending,
Loue must the vmpiere be.
Faire Nimphs, Loue must be your guide,
chast, vnspotted loue:
To such as doe your thralles betyde,
resolu'de without remoue.
Likewise iolly Sheepheard Swaines
if you doe respect,
The happy issue of your paines,
true loue must you direct.
You heare the birds contend for loue,
The bubling springs do sing sweet loue,
The Mountaines and Fountaines
do Eccho nought but loue.
Take hands then Nimphes & Sheepheards all,
And to this Riuers musiques fall
Sing true loue, and chast loue
begins our Festiuall.
chast, vnspotted loue:
To such as doe your thralles betyde,
resolu'de without remoue.
Likewise iolly Sheepheard Swaines
if you doe respect,
The happy issue of your paines,
true loue must you direct.
You heare the birds contend for loue,
The bubling springs do sing sweet loue,
The Mountaines and Fountaines
do Eccho nought but loue.
Take hands then Nimphes & Sheepheards all,
And to this Riuers musiques fall
Sing true loue, and chast loue
begins our Festiuall.
FINIS.
Shep. Tonie.
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