Weep no more, thou sorry boy;
From John Rowland’s Third and Last Book of Songs or Airs, 1603.
Weep you no more, sad fountains;
Sleep is a reconciling,
A rest that peace begets;
Doth not the sun rise smiling
When fair at ev’n he sets?
Rest you then, rest, sad eyes!
Melt not in weeping,
While she lies sleeping,
Softly, now softly lies
Sleeping.
From Thomas Weelkes’ Ballets and Madrigals to Five Voices, 1598.
Welcome, sweet pleasure,
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!
From John Mundy’s Songs and Psalms, 1594.
Were I a king, I might command content;