Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. II. The Seventeenth Century: Ben Jonson to Dryden

James Shirley (1596–1666)

A Lullaby (from The Triumph of Beauty, a Masque)

[1646]

CEASE, warring thoughts, and let his brain

No more discord entertain,

But be smooth and calm again.

Ye crystal rivers that are nigh,

As your streams are passing by

Teach your murmurs harmony.

Ye winds that wait upon the Spring

And perfumes to flowers do bring,

Let your amorous whispers here

Breathe soft music to his ear.

Ye warbling nightingales repair

From every wood, to charm this air,

And with the wonders of your breast

Each striving to excel the rest,

When it is time to wake him, close your parts,

And drop down from the tree with broken hearts.