Dirge in Cymbeline
Sung by Guiderus and Arviragus Over Fidele, Supposed to Be Dead
To fair Pastora’s grassy tomb
To fair Fidele’s grassy tomb
Soft maids and village hinds shall bring
Each opening sweet of earliest bloom,
And rifle all the breathing spring.
No wailing ghost shall dare appear 5
To vex with shrieks this quiet grove;
But shepherd swains assemble here,
But shepherd lads assemble here,
And melting virgins own their love.
No wither’d witch shall here be seen;
No goblins lead their nightly crew: 10
But female fays shall haunt the green,
The female fays shall haunt the green,
And dress thy bed with pearly dew!
And dress thy grave with pearly dew!
The redbreast oft, at evening hours,
Shall kindly lend his little aid,
With hoary moss, and gather’d flowers, 15
To deck the ground where thou art laid.
When chiding winds, and beating rain,
In tempest shake the sylvan cell;
Or ’midst the flocks, on every plain,
When howling winds, and beating rain,
In tempests shake the sylvan cell;
Or ’midst the chase, on every plain,
The tender thought on thee shall dwell; 20
Each lovely scene shall thee restore;
Each lonely scene shall thee restore;
For thee the tear be duly shed;
Beloved till life could charm no more,
Beloved till life can charm no more,
And mourn’d till Pity’s self be dead.