Nature
The Forest's Queen
From Lyrics from the Dramatists of the Elizabethan Age, ed. A. H. Bullen (London: Nimmo, 1889)
Welcome, thrice welcome to this shady green,
Our long-wished Cynthia, the forest's queen!
The trees begin to bud, the glad birds sing
In winter, changed by her into the spring.
We know no night,
Perpetual light
Dawns from your eye:
You being near,
We cannot fear,
Though death stood by.
From you our swords take edge, our hearts grow bold;
From you in fee their lives your liegemen hold.
These groves your kingdom, and our laws your will;
Smile, and we spare; but if you frown, we kill.
Bless then the hour
That gives the power
In which you may,
At bed and board,
Embrace your lord
Both night and day.
Welcome, thrice welcome to this shady green,
Our long-wished Cynthia, the forest's queen!
Cite this poem
MLA
Massinger, Philip. “The Forest's Queen.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/massinger/1/.
Chicago
Massinger, Philip. “The Forest's Queen.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/massinger/1/.
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