Hark, all you ladies that do sleep! The fairy queen Bids you awake, and pity them that weep. You may do in the dark What the day doth forbid. Fear not the dogs that bark; Night will have all hid. But if you let your lovers moan, The fairy queen Will send abroad her fairies everyone, That shall pinch black and blue Your white hands and fair arms, That did not kindly rue Your paramours' harms. In myrtle arbours on the downs, The fairy queen This night by moonshine, leading merry rounds, Holds a watch with sweet Love, Down the dale, up the hill, No plaints nor griefs may move Their holy vigil. All you that will hold watch with Love, The fairy queen Will make you fairer than Diana's dove. Roses red, lilies white, And the clear damask hue, Shall on your cheeks alight. Love will adorn you. All you that love, or loved before, The fairy queen Bids you increase that loving humour more. They that have not yet fed On delight amorous, She vows that they shall lead Apes in Avernus. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A PHONECALL FROM FRANK O'HARA by ANNE WALDMAN THE MODERN MOTHER by ALICE MEYNELL THE ROSARY by ROBERT CAMERON ROGERS IDYLLS OF THE KING: THE PASSING OF ARTHUR by ALFRED TENNYSON TO THE EARL OF WARWICK ON THE DEATH OF MR. ADDISON by THOMAS TICKELL |