Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Sir Walter Raleigh (1554?–1618). Poems. 1892.

XXVII.

The Shepherd’s Description of Love; before 1600 [read 1593]

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

That tolls all into heaven or hell;

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.