Living
Welcome, sweet pleasure
From Lyrics from the Song-Books of the Elizabethan Age, ed. A. H. Bullen (London: Nimmo, 1891)
Welcome, sweet pleasure,
My wealth and treasure;
To haste our playing
There's no delaying,
No no!
This mirth delights me
When sorrow frights me.
Then sing we all
Fa la la la la!
Sorrow, content thee,
Mirth must prevent thee:
Though much thou grievest
Thou none relievest.
No no!
Joy, come delight me,
Though sorrow spite me.
Then sing we all
Fa la la la la!
Grief is disdainful,
Sottish and painful:
Then wait on pleasure,
And lose no leisure.
No no!
Heart's ease it lendeth
And comfort sendeth.
Then sing we all
Fa la la la la!
Codex Note
From Thomas Weelkes' Ballets and Madrigals to Five Voices, 1598.
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous (Elizabethan songs). “Welcome, sweet pleasure.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-elizabethan-songs/165/.
Chicago
Anonymous (Elizabethan songs). “Welcome, sweet pleasure.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-elizabethan-songs/165/.
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