George Peele (1556–1596)

Œnone.FAIR and fair, and twice so fair,

As fair as any may be;

The fairest shepherd on our green,

A love for any lady.

Paris.Fair and fair, and twice so fair,

As fair as any may be;

Thy love is fair, for thee alone

And for no other lady.

Œnone.My love is fair, my love is gay,

As fresh as bin the flowers in May,

And of my love my roundelay,

My merry, merry, merry roundelay,

Concludes with Cupid’s curse,—

“They that do change old love for new,

Pray gods they change for worse!”

Ambo simul.They that do change old love for new

Pray gods they change for worse!

Œnone.Fair and fair, and twice so fair,

As fair as any may be;

The fairest shepherd on our green,

A love for any lady.

Paris.Fair and fair, and twice so fair,

As fair as any may be;

Thy love is fair for thee alone

And for no other lady.

Œnone.My love can pipe, my love can sing,

My love can many a pretty thing,

And of his lovely praises ring

My merry, merry, merry roundelays.

Amen to Cupid’s curse,—

“They that do change old love for new

Pray gods they change for worse!”

Ambo simul.They that do change old love for new

Pray gods they change for worse.