| SING lullaby, as women do, | |
| Wherewith they bring their babes to rest; | |
| And lullaby can I sing too, | |
| As womanly as can the best. | |
| With lullaby they still the child; | 5 |
| And if I be not much beguiled, | |
| Full many a wanton babe have I, | |
| Which must be still'd with lullaby. | |
| |
| First lullaby my youthful years, | |
| It is now time to go to bed: | 10 |
| For crookèd age and hoary hairs | |
| Have won the haven within my head. | |
| With lullaby, then, youth be still; | |
| With lullaby content thy will; | |
| Since courage quails and comes behind, | 15 |
| Go sleep, and so beguile thy mind! | |
| |
| Next lullaby my gazing eyes, | |
| Which wonted were to glance apace; | |
| For every glass may now suffice | |
| To show the furrows in thy face. | 20 |
| With lullaby then wink awhile; | |
| With lullaby your looks beguile; | |
| Let no fair face, nor beauty bright, | |
| Entice you eft with vain delight. | |
| |
| And lullaby my wanton will; | 25 |
| Let reason's rule now reign thy thought; | |
| Since all too late I find by skill | |
| How dear I have thy fancies bought; | |
| With lullaby now take thine ease, | |
| With lullaby thy doubts appease; | 30 |
| For trust to this, if thou be still, | |
| My body shall obey thy will. | |
| |
| Thus lullaby my youth, mine eyes, | |
| My will, my ware, and all that was: | |
| I can no more delays devise; | 35 |
| But welcome pain, let pleasure pass. | |
| With lullaby now take your leave; | |
| With lullaby your dreams deceive; | |
| And when you rise with waking eye, | |
| Remember then this lullaby. | 40 |
