The Thursday Poem

Potted Flowers with Books IV
Eric Barjot

from Cymbeline

Act IV Scene ii

Gui    Fear no more the heat o' the sun,

            Nor the furious winter's rages,

            Thou thy worldly task hast done,

            Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages,

            Golden lads, and girls all must,

            As chimney-sweepers come to dust.

Arv    Fear no more the forwn o' th' great,

            Thou art past the tyrant's stroke,

            Care no more to clothe and eat,

            To thee the reed is as the oak;

            The sceptre, learning, physic must

            All follow this, and come to dust.

Gui    Fear no more the lightning flash,

Arv    Nor th'all-dreaded thunderstone.

Gui    Fear not slander, censure rash.

Arv    Thou hast finish'd joy and moan.

Both  All lovers young, all lovers must,

            Consign to thee and come to dust.

Gui     No exorciser harm thee,

Arv     Nor no witch-craft charm thee,

Gui     Ghost unlaid forbear thee,

Arv     Nothing ill come near thee.

Both   Quiet consummation have,

              And renowned be thy grave.

William Shakespeare

(23rd April 1564 - 23rd April 1616)