Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
George Gascoigne. 1525?7747. A Lover’s Lullaby
SING lullaby, as women do, | |
Wherewith they bring their babes to rest; | |
And lullaby can I sing too, | |
As womanly as can the best. | |
With lullaby they still the child; | 5 |
And if I be not much beguiled, | |
Full many a wanton babe have I, | |
Which must be still’d with lullaby. | |
First lullaby my youthful years, | |
It is now time to go to bed: | 10 |
For crookèd age and hoary hairs | |
Have won the haven within my head. | |
With lullaby, then, youth be still; | |
With lullaby content thy will; | |
Since courage quails and comes behind, | 15 |
Go sleep, and so beguile thy mind! | |
Next lullaby my gazing eyes, | |
Which wonted were to glance apace; | |
For every glass may now suffice | |
To show the furrows in thy face. | 20 |
With lullaby then wink awhile; | |
With lullaby your looks beguile; | |
Let no fair face, nor beauty bright, | |
Entice you eft with vain delight. | |
And lullaby my wanton will; | 25 |
Let reason’s rule now reign thy thought; | |
Since all too late I find by skill | |
How dear I have thy fancies bought; | |
With lullaby now take thine ease, | |
With lullaby thy doubts appease; | 30 |
For trust to this, if thou be still, | |
My body shall obey thy will. | |
Thus lullaby my youth, mine eyes, | |
My will, my ware, and all that was: | |
I can no more delays devise; | 35 |
But welcome pain, let pleasure pass. | |
With lullaby now take your leave; | |
With lullaby your dreams deceive; | |
And when you rise with waking eye, | |
Remember then this lullaby. | 40 |