My Virtual Reading Room

(cross-posting from greatpoetry )
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from Cymbeline, Act IV, Scene 2



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 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.

Fear no more the lightning-flash,
Nor the 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.



Edit: The verses were set to music and sung by Loreena McKennitt. You can listen to it here.
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This was originally posted to the greatpoets comm in October 2010 by stillsparkling over here