The Maiden's Answer

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The Passionate Shepherd to His Love

COME live with me and be my Love,
And we will all the pleasures prove
That hills and valleys, dale and field,
And all the craggy mountains yield.

There will we sit upon the rocks
And see the shepherds feed their flocks,
By shallow rivers, to whose falls
Melodious birds sing madrigals.

There will I make thee beds of roses
And a thousand fragrant posies,
A cap of flowers, and a kirtle
Embroider'd all with leaves of myrtle.

A gown made of the finest wool
Which from our pretty lambs we pull,
Fair linèd slippers for the cold,
With buckles of the purest gold.

A belt of straw and ivy buds
With coral clasps and amber studs:
And if these pleasures may thee move,
Come live with me and be my Love.

Thy silver dishes for thy meat
As precious as the gods do eat,
Shall on an ivory table be
Prepared each day for thee and me.

The shepherd swains shall dance and sing
For thy delight each May-morning:
If these delights thy mind may move,
Then live with me and be my Love.

Written by: C Marlowe

Marlowe’s ‘The Passionate Shepherd to his Love’
‘ Come live with me and be my love, and we will all the pleasures prove,’

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The Maiden’s Answer

I’ll come with thee and pledge my life
if ye will take me for thy wife
for I, a maid, must have me wed
ere any man come to my bed

My gown will be of watered silk
rich pearly white like new drawn milk
Soft satin slippers for my shoon
with tiny buttons all aroun’

A silver belt will gird my waist
bedecked with rosebuds, white and chaste
and o’er my head, a cap of lace
with bridal veil to shield my face

And ye must build a fragrant bower
amid the thyme and gillyflower
Lay springy heather for my bed
and soft green rushes at my head.

Then I will come to thee and lie
beneath the shield of parchment sky
Upon the day ye marry me
I’ll be thy love and live with thee



Shoon--shoes

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Debbie Guzzi

Date: 9/11/2010 5:46:00 AM

I really really like this type of write a 7. (if you have a book in print to sell, let me know the title in a comment section of a poem of mine? I'm posting where to buy them in a blog. I'm trying to get us some sales for the Holidays) Light & Love!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/13/2010 7:20:00 AM

Margaret, to me this is a really beautiful poem. I was thinking it was supposed to be about modern life, but just by itself, as an imitation of an older style, I think you did superbly!! Luv, Andrea