Thursday, September 10, 2015

 

Thou Hast Finished Joy and Moan

William Shakespeare (1564-1616), Cymbeline 4.2.258-281:
Fear no more the heat o' th' sun
    Nor the furious winter's rages;
Thou thy worldly task hast done,        260
    Home art gone and ta'en thy wages.
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.

Fear no more the frown o' th' great;
    Thou art past the tyrant's stroke.        265
Care no more to clothe and eat;
    To thee the reed is as the oak.
The sceptre, learning, physic, must
All follow this and come to dust.

Fear no more the lightning-flash,        270
    Nor th' all-dreaded thunder-stone;
Fear no slander, censure rash;
    Thou hast finish'd joy and moan.
All lovers young, all lovers must
Consign to thee and come to dust.        275

No exorciser harm thee!
Nor no witchcraft charm thee!
Ghost unlaid forbear thee!
Nothing ill come near thee!
Quiet consummation have,        280
And renownèd be thy grave!
271 thunder-stone: thunderbolt
275 consign: "To submit to the same terms with another" (Samuel Johnson, Dictionary)



<< Home
Newer›  ‹Older

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?