CONTENT. BY ROBERT GREENE. ROBERT GREENE was born at Norwich, about the year 1560, and, after having been educated at Cambridge, travelled in foreign countries. When he returned to England he took orders, but, unfortunately, was a discredit to his profession on account of the irregularity of his life: in consequence he was deprived of his vicarage. He died in 1592, from excess at table. Some time before his death, how ever, he began to feel the pangs of remorse; and in one of his plays draws an affecting picture of genius debased by vice.] SWEET are the thoughts that savour of content : The quiet mind is richer than a crown: Sweet are the nights in careless slumber spent: The poor estate scorns Fortune's angry frown. The homely house that harbours quiet rest, "AH! WHAT IS LOVE?” BY ROBERT GREENE. AH! what is love? It is a pretty thing, As sweet unto a shepherd as a king, For kings have cares that wait upon a crown, And cares can make the sweetest cares to frown: If country loves such sweet desires gain, And merrier too: For kings bethink them what the state require, Where shepherds, careless, carol by the fire: Ah then, ah then, If country love such sweet desires gain, What lady would not love a shepherd swain? He kisseth first, then sits as blithe to eat For kings have often fears when they sup, If country loves such sweet desires gain, Upon his couch of straw he sleeps as sound For cares cause kings full oft their sleep to spill, If country loves such sweet desires gain, Thus with his wife he spends the year as blithe As doth the king at every tide or syth, And blither too : For kings have wars and broils to take in hand, When shepherds laugh, and love upon the land: Ah then, ah then, If country love such sweet desires gain, What lady would not love a shepherd swain? |