The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd<br/>羊飼いに対する乙女の返事</p>
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If all the world and love were young,<br/>And truth in every shepherd’s tongue,<br/>These pretty pleasures might me move<br/>To live with thee and be thy love.
Time drives the flocks from field to fold,<br/>When rivers rage and rocks grow cold;<br/>And Philomel becometh dumb;<br/>The rest complain of cares to come.
The flowers do fade, and wanton fields<br/>To wayward winter reckoning yields;<br/>A honey tongue, a heart of gall,<br/>Is fancy’s spring, but sorrow’s fall.
But could youth last and love still breed,<br/>Had joys no date nor age no need,<br/>Then these delights my mind might move<br/>To live with thee and be thy love.