THE FOREST'S QUEEN
by: Philip Massinger
- ELCOME,
thrice welcome to this shady green,
- Our long-wished Cynthia, the forest's queen!
- The trees begin to bud, the glad birds sing
- In winter, changed by her into the spring.
- We know no night,
- Perpetual light
- Dawns from your eye:
- You being near,
- We cannot fear,
- Though death stood by.
-
- From you our swords take edge, our hearts grow bold;
- From you in fee their lives your liegemen hold.
- These groves your kingdom, and our laws your will;
- Smile, and we spare; but if you frown, we kill.
- Bless then the hour
- That gives the power
- In which you may,
- At bed and board,
- Embrace your lord
- Both night and day.
- Welcome, thrice welcome to this shady green,
- Our long-wished Cynthia, the forest's queen!
'The Forest's Queen' was originally
published in The Guardian (1633). |
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POEMS BY PHILIP MASSINGER |
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