Ben Jonson


Gypsy Songs              

1.            

                The faery beam upon you,
                The stars to glister on you;
                        A moon of light,
                        In the noon of night,
Till the fire-drake hath o'ergone you!
The wheel of fortune guide you,
The boy with the bow beside you;
                        Run aye in the way,
                        Till the bird of day,
                And the luckier lot betide you!

2.            

To the old, long life and treasure;
To the young, all health and pleasure;
                        To the fair, their face
                        With eternal grace;
And the soul to be loved at leisure.
To the witty, all clear mirrors,
To the foolish their dark errors;
                        To the loving sprite,
                        A secure delight:
To the jealous his own false terrors.

1621