The Shepherd's Sister to Her Love

Come live with me and be my love,

And to thee will I henceforth prove

That art more fair than beauteous light

And shinest bright in summer’s night.

I will thee bring a stand tall mirror,

Fifteen candles, make it clearer;

Blush thee with the finest blushes

Using nature’s hand made brushes;

Wilt thou be adorned with jewels,

Crafted gold with God Father’s tools;

If art not satisfied by these,

I will not leave thee in displease.

Our meadows are for thee to conquer:

Make the flowers grow as stronger

As I to thee feel needy love

Of most the art and way to move.

Thou wilt be in a mountain’s peak

For them behold and dare not speak:

Of idolatry are their guilt,

By talent which thyself hast built;

Dismay the wanton of their look

And charge them by the written book;

Say them the wrongs that art not thine

And I will strike, as thou’lt be mine.

Let me no more say of thee;

Be so, countless pages there be;

But save it, will then I prove

If thou wilt live with me and be my love.