Three Shepherd Songs

Welcome stranger to this place, 
Where Joy doth sit on every bough, 
Paleness flies from every face; 
We reap not what we do not sow. 

Innocence doth like a rose 
Bloom on every maiden's cheek; 
Honour twines around her brows, 
The jewel Health adorns her neck.

When the green woods laugh with the voice of joy,
And the dimpling stream runs laughing by;
When the air does laugh with our merry wit,
And the green hill laughs with the noise of it; 

When the meadows laugh with lively green,
And the grasshopper laughs in the merry scene;
When Mary and Susan and Emily
With their sweet round mouths sing "Ha ha he!"

When the painted birds laugh in the shade,
Where our table with cherries and nuts is spread:
Come live, and be merry, and join with me,
To sing the sweet chorus of "Ha ha he!"

When silver snow decks Sylvio's clothes, 
And jewel hangs at shepherd's nose, 
We can abide Life's pelting storm
That makes our limbs quake, if our hearts be warm. 

Whilst Virtue is our walking-staff, 
And Truth a lantern to our path;
We can abide Life's pelting storm 
That makes our limbs quake, if our hearts be warm. 

Blow boisterous Wind, stern Winter frown,
Innocence is a Winter's gown;
So clad, we'll abide Life's pelting storm
That makes our limbs quake, if our hearts be warm.