[BNP/E3, 49A2 – 30-31]

The Sheperd

Play thy tune, oh piper play

How thou playest mad and joy

Dances dancing {…} round

Shy in that may sound

Thine eyes shine with a cold gray | How the piper’s eyes doth gleam

Fair is it for feast | Lift his tune he doth play

His little sangth did to {…}

† not name not in thy tune

Lest the dances should go some {…}

Play up, life, ply up[1], play.

_________

17-10-08.

_________

Now he thinks him she is nothing

How her mouth is decomposed

To the coffin

____________________________________ 

And like a woman yielding at

Her womb and hearts’ warm posture sweet

To her lover’s embrace complete

In pleasure’s honey-spiced at,

And he plays up loud and gay

Piper, piper, piper, play!

____________________________________ 

How the like compose will use

Its virginity to worms

Then though to strong his mind do stray

And he plays up Piper, play.

[30v]

Gifts (moments)

A child came to me over and for fun

Asked me a penny, and I gave her one;

Another came and I who none had

But a shilling gave like that, and glad.

I was kind, having but that, you will say.

Ay, but I got an ease that day.

17-10-08.

[31r]

26-10-08

V

When I’m dead and gone for ever

Let no one speak well of me.

Praise I hate. Or cannot see

I will now feel a pleasure †

Knowing that my penny 

I shall inspire leaving me with glee.

That my death the hate that it be 

Let it expression {…} cold not sever

_______

And hearing me yet laugh |at me|

I understand the earth

Will smile and smile {…} start

Feeling it bitter in my smart.

Bitter with {…} my rotting[2] mouth

For in this worst of {…} and dance

Madman have but little chance.

 
[1] ply up /piper\
[2] rotting/en\