The Faithless Shepherdess

By William Byrd

16th Century

WHILE that the sun with his beams hot
         Scorched the fruits in vale and mountain,
Philon the shepherd, late forgot,
         Sitting beside a crystal fountain
         In shadow of a green oak tree,
         Upon his pipe this song play'd he:
Adieu, Love, adieu, Love, untrue Love!
Untrue Love, untrue Love, adieu, Love!
Your mind is light, soon lost for new love.

So long as I was in your sight
         I was your heart, your soul, your treasure;
And evermore you sobb'd and sigh'd
         Burning in flames beyond all measure:
         --Three days endured your love to me,
         And it was lost in other three!
Adieu, Love, adieu, Love, untrue Love!
Untrue Love, untrue Love, adieu, Love!
Your mind is light, soon lost for new love.

Another shepherd you did see,
         To whom your heart was soon enchained;
Full soon your love was leapt from me,
         Full soon my place he had obtained.
         Soon came a third your love to win,
         And we were out and he was in.
Adieu, Love, adieu, Love, untrue Love!
Untrue Love, untrue Love, adieu, Love!
Your mind is light, soon lost for new love.

Sure you have made me passing glad
         That you your mind so soon removed,
Before that I the leisure had
         To choose you for my best beloved:
         For all my love was pass'd and done
         Two days before it was begun.
Adieu, Love, adieu, Love, untrue Love!
Untrue Love, untrue Love, adieu, Love!
Your mind is light, soon lost for new love.

CRABB'D Age and Youth
Cannot live together:
Youth is full of pleasance,
Age is full of care;
Youth like summer morn,
Age like winter weather;
Youth like summer brave,
Age like winter bare.
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.

DayPoems Poem No. 58
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/58.html">The Faithless Shepherdess by William Byrd</a>

The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor

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