The Passionate Shepherd To His Love

Portrait of Christopher Marlowe
Christopher Marlowe 1564–1593

Come live with me, and be my love, And we will all the pleasures prove, That hills and valleys, dales and fields, And all the craggy mountain yields.

There we will sit upon the rocks, And see the shepherds feed their flocks By shallow rivers, to whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.

And I will make thee beds of roses, With a thousand fragrant posies, A cap of flowers and a kirtle Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle;

A gown made of the finest wool, Which from our pretty lambs we pull; Fair lined slippers for the cold, With buckles of the purest gold;

A belt of straw and ivy buds, With coral clasps and amber studs; And if these pleasures may thee move, Come live with me, and be my love.

The shepherd swains shall dance and sing For thy delight each May morning: If these delights thy mind may move, Then live with me, and be my love.

Keep reading

Discover more of Christopher Marlowe’s poetry.

Explore all poems

Readers

Reader discussion 3 comments

Add your reading ↓
Readers
3
Longest reading
Stephanie15 words
  1. Stephanie United States

    How is it that this poem was written in 1599, if Marlowe died in 1593?

  2. Robby

    Great poem! Have you heard the parody version?

  3. Kristin

    That is sooooooooooo LAME!!!!!!!!!!

Your turn

Shown with your comment.

Never published. Only so we can reach you.

Comments are read before they appear. See our terms.