30 April 2009

as we leave National Poetry Month - a poem, and a treat

Let's end National Poetry Month with beauty from Shakespeare.

Fear no more the heat o` the sun,
Nor the furious winter`s 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.

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

Fear no more the lightning flash,
Nor th` all-dreaded thunder stone;
Fear not slander, censure rash;
Thou hast finished joy and moan.
All lovers young, all lovers must
Consign to thee, and come to dust.

No exorciser harm thee!
Nor no witchcraft charm thee!
Ghost unlaid forbear thee!
Nothing ill come near thee!
Quiet consummation have;
And renowned be thy grave!

William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)

One final treat: Loreena McKennitt 's lovely, lovely version. She, too, leaves the final word to Shakespeare. Enjoy.

7 comments:

Inkslinger said...

Oooh. One of my favourites (Shakespeare AND Loreena singing it)!

Bridget said...

That Shakespeare ... he always said it best.

amy said...

I've enjoyed your choices!

Paula said...

I love Shakespeare!
That poem is perfect for today.
Thank you!

Melwyk said...

This is a gorgeous poem made even more beautiful by Loreena's voice. So haunting! I also love her song "Snow" -- the lyrics are a poem by Archibald Lampman. She is so good at setting poetry to music. (and how about "The Highwayman"? Shivers!)

Carrie K said...

There's a cassette at my local library that has various performers reading the sonnet's of Shakespeare - I can swear I hear Kelsy Grammar's voice. (He has a lovely voice).

Bobbi said...

Thank you for introducing me to Loreena McKennitt.