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Home  »  The Oxford Book of English Verse  »  135. Under the Greenwood Tree

Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.

William Shakespeare. 1564–1616

135. Under the Greenwood Tree

Amiens sings:UNDER the greenwood tree, 
Who loves to lie with me, 
And turn his merry note 
Unto the sweet bird’s throat, 
Come hither, come hither, come hither:         5
    Here shall he see 
    No enemy 
But winter and rough weather. 
 
  Who doth ambition shun, 
  And loves to live i’ the sun,  10
  Seeking the food he eats, 
  And pleased with what he gets, 
Come hither, come hither, come hither: 
    Here shall he see 
    No enemy  15
But winter and rough weather. 
 
Jaques replies:  If it do come to pass 
  That any man turn ass, 
  Leaving his wealth and ease 
  A stubborn will to please,  20
Ducdamè, ducdamè, ducdamè: 
    Here shall he see 
    Gross fools as he, 
An if he will come to me.