Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Anonymous. 162272. The Wakening John Attye’s First Book of Airs
ON a time the amorous Silvy | |
Said to her shepherd, ‘Sweet, how do ye? | |
Kiss me this once and then God be with ye, | |
My sweetest dear! | |
Kiss me this once and then God be with ye, | 5 |
For now the morning draweth near.’ | |
With that, her fairest bosom showing, | |
Op’ning her lips, rich perfumes blowing, | |
She said, ‘Now kiss me and be going, | |
My sweetest dear! | 10 |
Kiss me this once and then be going, | |
For now the morning draweth near.’ | |
With that the shepherd waked from sleeping, | |
And spying where the day was peeping, | |
He said, ‘Now take my soul in keeping, | 15 |
My sweetest dear! | |
Kiss me and take my soul in keeping, | |
Since I must go, now day is near.’ |