The Works of Thomas Campion :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Works of Thomas Campion

Complete Songs, Masques, and Treatises with a Selection of the Latin Verse: Edited with an introduction and notes by Walter R. Davis

Campion, Thomas (1567-1620)

SONGS AND POEMS

[Poems and Songs from the Masques]

TREATISES

The Writer to his Booke.

The second Chapter, declaring the unaptnesse of Rime in Poesie.

The fifth Chapter, of the Iambick Dimeter, or English march.

The sixt Chapter, of the English Trochaick verse.

The seaventh Chapter, of the English Elegeick verse.

The eight Chapter, of Ditties and Odes.

The ninth Chapter, of the Anacreontick Verse.

DOUBTFUL POEMS

Collapse All | Expand All expand section

XIX. [Harke, al you ladies that do sleep]

Harke, al you ladies that do sleep:
the fayry queen Proserpina
Bids you awake and pitie them that weep;
you may doe in the darke
What the day doth forbid:
feare not the dogs that barke,
Night will have all hid.

But if you let your lovers mone,
the Fairie Queene Proserpina
Will send abroad her Fairies ev'rie one,
that shall pinch blacke and blew
Your white hands, and faire armes,
that did not kindly rue
Your Paramours harmes.

In Myrtle Arbours on the downes,
the Fairie Queene Proserpina,
This night by moone-shine leading merrie rounds,
holds a watch with sweet love;
Downe the dale, up the hill,
no plaints or groanes may move
Their holy vigill.

All you that will hold watch with love,
the Fairie Queene Proserpina
Will make you fairer then Diones dove;
Roses red, Lillies white,
And the cleare damaske hue,
shall on your cheekes alight:
Love will adorne you.

All you that love, or lov'd before,
the Fairie Queene Proserpina
Bids you encrease that loving humour more:
they that yet have not fed
On delight amorous,
she vowes that they shall lead
Apes in Avernus.