Love

To shorten winter's sadness

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

To shorten winter's sadness
See where the nymphs with gladness
Fa la la!

Disguised all are coming,
Right wantonly a-mumming.
Fa la la!

Though masks encloud their beauty,
Yet give the eye her duty.
Fa la la!

When Heaven is dark it shineth
And unto love inclineth.
Fa la la!

✦ ✦ ✦

From Thomas Weelkes' Ballets and Madrigals, 1598.

MLA

Anonymous (Elizabethan songs). “To shorten winter's sadness.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-elizabethan-songs/152/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Elizabethan songs). “To shorten winter's sadness.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-elizabethan-songs/152/.

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