Thomas Heywood (c. 1570–1641)

From “The Silver Age,” Act III. Scene 1

WITH fair Ceres, Queen of Grain,

The reapèd fields we roam,

Each country peasant, nymph and swain,

Sing their harvest home;

Whilst the Queen of Plenty hallows

Growing fields as well as fallows.

Echo, double all your lays,

Make the champians sound

To the Queen of Harvest’s praise,

That sows and reaps our ground:

Ceres, Queen of Plenty, hallows

Growing fields as well as fallows.