Love

On a time the amorous Silvy

by Anonymous (Elizabethan songs) c. 1588–1630

From Lyrics from the Song-Books of the Elizabethan Age, ed. A. H. Bullen (London: Nimmo, 1891)

Love

On a time the amorous Silvy
Said to her shepherd, 'Sweet, how do you?
Kiss me this once, and then God be wi' you,
My sweetest dear!
Kiss me this once and then God be wi' you,
For now the morning draweth near.'

With that, her fairest bosom showing,
Opening her lips, rich perfumes blowing,
She said, 'Now kiss me and be going,
My sweetest dear!
Kiss me this once and then be going,
For now the morning draweth near.'

With that the shepherd waked from sleeping,
And, spying where the day was peeping,
He said, 'Now take my soul in keeping,
My sweetest dear!
Kiss me, and take my soul in keeping,
Since I must go, now day is near.'

✦ ✦ ✦

From John Attye's First Book of Airs, 1622.

MLA

Anonymous (Elizabethan songs). “On a time the amorous Silvy.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-elizabethan-songs/102/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Elizabethan songs). “On a time the amorous Silvy.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-elizabethan-songs/102/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Anonymous (Elizabethan songs)