The Shepherd's Sister to Her Love
Come live with me and be my love,
And to thee will I henceforth prove
That art more fair than beauteous light
And shinest bright in summer’s night.
I will thee bring a stand tall mirror,
Fifteen candles, make it clearer;
Blush thee with the finest blushes
Using nature’s hand made brushes;
Wilt thou be adorned with jewels,
Crafted gold with God Father’s tools;
If art not satisfied by these,
I will not leave thee in displease.
Our meadows are for thee to conquer:
Make the flowers grow as stronger
As I to thee feel needy love
Of most the art and way to move.
Thou wilt be in a mountain’s peak
For them behold and dare not speak:
Of idolatry are their guilt,
By talent which thyself hast built;
Dismay the wanton of their look
And charge them by the written book;
Say them the wrongs that art not thine
And I will strike, as thou’lt be mine.
Let me no more say of thee;
Be so, countless pages there be;
But save it, will then I prove
If thou wilt live with me and be my love.