Part 2 — THE SHEPHERD'S WIFE'S SONG

From "The Mourning Garment"

Ah, what is love? It is a pretty thing, As sweet unto a shepherd as a king, And sweeter, too: For kings have cares that wait upon a crown, And cares can make the sweetest love to frown: Ah then, ah then, If country loves such sweet desires do gain, What lady would not love a shepherd swain?

His flocks are folded; he comes home at night As merry as a king in his delight, And merrier, too: For kings bethink them what the state require, Where shepherds, careless, carol by the fire:

He kisseth first, then sits as blithe to eat His cream and curds, as doth a king his meat, And blither, too: For kings have often fears when they do sup, Where shepherds dread no poison in their cup:

To bed he goes, as wanton then, I ween, As is a king in dalliance with a queen; More wanton, too: For kings have many griefs, affects to move, Where shepherds have no greater grief than love:

Upon his couch of straw he sleeps as sound As doth the king upon his bed of down; More sounder, too: For cares cause kings full oft their sleep to spill, Where weary shepherds lie and snort their fill:

Thus, with his wife, he spends the year as blithe As doth the king at every tide or sithe, And blither, too: For kings have wars and broils to take in hand, Where shepherds laugh and love upon the land: Ah then, ah then, Since country loves such sweet desires do gain, What lady would not love a shepherd swain?

Robert Greene [1560?-1592]