The poem was first published in 1599. The copytext for this version is the second printing of the poem, in Englands Helicon (1600). The first printing in The Passionate Pilgrim included only the first four stanzas. I have emended sings in line 8 to sing. The spelling is as in the copy-text, but u and v, i and j, are adjusted as in modern usage. The notes are my own.
See also the poem’s companion piece, Ralegh’s “Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd.”
| Come live with mee, and be my love, | |
| And we will all the pleasures prove,° | try |
| That Vallies, groves, hills and fieldes, | |
| Woods, or steepie mountaine yeeldes. | |
| And wee will sit upon the Rocks, [5] | |
| Seeing the Sheepheards feede theyr flocks, | |
| By shallow Rivers, to whose falls, | |
| Melodious byrds sing Madrigalls.° | songs |
| And I will make thee beds of Roses, | |
| And a thousand fragrant poesies,° [10] | bunches of flowers |
| A cap of flowers, and a kirtle,° | long gown |
| Imbroydred all with leaves of Mirtle. | |
| A gowne made of the finest wooll, | |
| Which from our pretty Lambes we pull, | |
| Fayre lined slippers for the cold: [15] | |
| With buckles of the purest gold. | |
| A belt of straw, and Ivie buds, | |
| With Corall clasps and Amber studs, | |
| And if these pleasures may thee move, | |
| Come live with mee, and be my love. [20] | |
| The Sheepheards Swaines° shall daunce & sing, | country people |
| For thy delight each May-morning, | |
| If these delights thy minde may move; | |
| Then live with mee, and be my love. |