The Shepherd and the King

Robert Greene (1558–1592)

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 face to frown:

Ah then, ah then,

If country loves such sweet desires 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, ah then,

If country loves such sweet desires gain,

What lady would not love a shepherd swain?

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 fears when they sup,

Where shepherds dread no poison in their cup:

Ah then, ah then,

If country loves such sweet desires gain,

What lady would not love a shepherd swain?

Upon his couch of straw he sleeps as sound

As doth the king upon his beds 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, ah then,

If country loves such sweet desires gain,

What lady would not love a shepherd swain?

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,

When shepherds laugh, and love upon the land;

Ah then, ah then,

If country loves such sweet desires gain,

What lady would not love a shepherd swain?