The Passionate Shepherd to his Love

Christopher Marlowe (1564–1593)

COME live with me and be my love,

And we will all the pleasures prove,

That hills and valleys, dales and fields,

Woods or craggy mountains yield.

And we will sit upon the rocks,

Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks

By shallow rivers, to whose falls

Melodious birds sing madrigals.

And will I make thee beds of roses,

And a thousand fragrant posies;

A cap of flowers and a kirtle

Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle;

A gown made of the finest wool

Which from our pretty lambs we pull;

Fair-linèd slippers for the cold,

With buckles of the purest gold;

A belt of straw, and ivy buds,

With coral clasps and amber studs.

And if these pleasures thee may move,

Come live with me, and be my love.

The shepherd-swains shall dance and sing

For thy delight each May morning;

If these delights thy mind may move,

Then live with me, and be my love.