Pipe, shepherds, pipe, the summer’ s ripe;
So wreathe your crooks with flowers;
The world’ s in tune to Love and June,
The days are rich in hours,
In rosy hours, in golden hours —
Love’ s crown and fortune fair,
So gather gold for Love to hold,
And flowers for Love to wear!
Sing, maidens, sing! A dancing ring
Of pleasures speed your way;
Too harsh and dry is fierce July,
Too maiden-meek was May;
But Love and June their old sweet tune
Are singing at your ear:
So learn the song and troop along
To meet your shepherds dear!
Oh, Chloris fair, a rose to wear,
And gold to spend have I —
When all are gay on this June day
You would not bid me sigh?
You would not scorn a swain forlorn —
Each shepherd far and near
Hastes to his sweet, with flying feet,
As I towards my dear.
No maids there be in Arcady
But have their shepherds true;
Must you alone despise the one
Who only pipes for you?
You have no ear my pipe to hear
Though all for you it be;
And I no eyes for her who sighs
And only sings for me!