The Shepherd and the King

Ah! what is love? It is a pretty thing, As sweet unto a shepherd as a king, And sweeter too; For kings have cares that wait upon a crown, And cares can make the sweetest face to frown: Ah then, ah then, If country loves such sweet desires gain, What lady would not love a shepherd swain? His flocks are folded; he comes home at night As merry as a king in his delight, And merrier too; For kings bethink them what the state require, Where shepherds, careless, carol by the fire: Ah then, ah then, If country loves such sweet desires gain, What lady would not love a shepherd swain? He kisseth first, then sits as blithe to eat His cream and curd as doth the king his meat, And blither too; For kings have often fears when they sup, Where shepherds dread no poison in their cup: Ah then, ah then, If country loves such sweet desires gain, What lady would not love a shepherd swain? Upon his couch of straw he sleeps as sound As doth the king upon his beds of down, More sounder too; For cares cause kings full oft their sleep to spill, Where weary shepherds lie and snort their fill: Ah then, ah then, If country loves such sweet desires gain, What lady would not love a shepherd swain? Thus with his wife he spends the year as blithe As doth the king at every tide or syth, And blither too; For kings have wars and broils to take in hand, When shepherds laugh, and love upon the land; Ah then, ah then, If country loves such sweet desires gain, What lady would not love a shepherd swain?