Happy as a Shepherd

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 loves to frown:
Ah then, ah then.
If country loves such sweet desires do 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, &c.

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 tremours when they sup,
Where shepherds dread no poison in their cup:
Ah then, &c.

Upon his couch of straw he sleeps as sound
As doth the king upon his bed 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, &c.

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.
Where shepherds laugh, and love upon the land
Ah then, &c.