Sir Walter Raleigh (1554?–1618). Poems. 1892.
XXVII.The Shepherds Description of Love; before 1600 [read 1593]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.