SONG OF THE FAIRY From MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE VER hill, over dale, Thorough bush, thorough brier, Over park, over pale, Thorough flood, thorough fire, I do wander everywhere, Swifter than the moon's sphere; And I serve the fairy queen, To dew her orbs upon the green; The cowslips tall her pensioners be; In their gold coats spots you see; These be rubies, fairy favours — In those freckles live their savours. I must go seek some dewdrops here, And hang a pearl in every cowslip's ear. THE APPROACH OF THE FAIRIES From MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE OW the hungry lion roars, And the wolf behowls the moon; Whilst the heavy ploughman snores, Whilst the scritch owl, scritching loud, Puts the wretch that lies in woe, In remembrance of a shroud. That the graves, all gaping wide, By the triple Hecate's team, Following darkness like a dream, Through the house give glimmering light; Hop as light as bird from brier; A MADRIGAL From THE PASSIONATE PILGRIM WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE RABBED age and youth Youth like summer morn, Youth is full of sport, Age's breath is short, Youth is nimble, Age is lame; Youth is hot and bold, Age is weak and cold, Youth is wild, and Age is tame: Age, I do abhor thee, Youth, I do adore thee; O, my Love, my Love is young! Age, I do defy thee O, sweet shepherd, hie thee, For methinks thou stay'st too long. From LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE HEN icicles hang by the wall, WHI And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail; Tuwhit! tuwhoo! A merry note! When all around the wind doth blow, And Marian's nose looks red and raw; Tuwhoo! Tuwhit! tuwhoo! A merry note! |