And sundry-colour'd ribbands
On it I will bestow;
But chiefly black and yellowe:[2]
With her to grave shall go.
Ding, &c.
I'll decke her tomb with flowers,
The rarest ever seen,
And with my tears, as showers,
I'll keepe them fresh and green.
Ding, &c.
Instead of fairest colours,
Set forth with curious art,[3]
Her image shall be painted
On my distressed heart.
Ding, &c.
And thereon shall be graven
Her epitaph so faire,
"Here lies the loveliest maiden,
That e'er gave shepheard care."
Ding, &c.
In sable will I mourne;
Blacke shall be all my weede:
Ay me! I am forlorne,
Now Phillida is dead!
Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong,
My Phillida is dead!
I'll stick a branch of willow
At my fair Phillis' head.
NOTES
- It is a custom in many parts of England, to carry a flowery garland before the
corpse of a woman who dies unmarried. - See above, preface to No. xi. book v.
- This alludes to the painted effigies of alabaster, anciently erected upon tombs and
monuments.