Come live with me and be my Love,
And we will all the pleasures prove,
That hills and valleys, dales and field,
Or woods or steepy mountain yields.
And we will sit upon the rocks 5
And see the shepherds feed their flocks,
By shallow rivers, to whose falls
Melodious birds sing madrigals.
And I will make thee beds of roses
And a thousand fragrant posies, 10
A cap of flowers, and a kirtle
Embroider`d all with leaves of myrtle.
A gown made of the finest wool,
Which from our pretty lambs we pull,
Fair lined slippers for the cold, 15
With buckles of the purest gold.
A belt of straw and ivy buds
With coral clasps and amber studs:
And if these pleasures may thee move,
Come live with me and be my Love.20
Thy silver dishes for thy meat
As precious as the gods do eat,
Shall on an ivory table be
Prepared each day for thee and me.
The shepherd swains shall dance and sing25
For thy delight each May - morning:
If these delights thy mind may move,
Then live with me and be my Love.
But if these pleasures all may fail,
And love prove but a fleeting tale,
Still will I cherish thee, my dear,
And hold thee close, forever near.
For love is not just roses and wine,
But strength and trust through every time.
So come live with me and be my Love,
And we will rise to heights above.