Cymbeline - Loreena McKennitt

Fear no more the heat o' th' sun
Nor the furious winters' rages;
Thou thy worldly task hast done,
Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages.
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.

The sceptre, learning, physic, must
All follow this and come to dust.

Fear no more the frown o' th' great;
Thou art past the tyrant's stroke.
Care no more to clothe and eat;
To thee the reed is as the oak.
The sceptre, learning, physic, must
All follow this and come to dust.

All lovers young, all lovers must
Consign to thee and come to dust.



Here are William Shakespeare's thoughts on this early visit. This song occurs towards the end of hie "romance" play Cymbeline, which was written near the end of the author's life. The play is set in ancient Britain when the Romans were invading the last remaining outpost of the old Celtic order. - L.M.

Music by Loreena McKennitt
Lyrics by William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Shuun