The Old Wives' Tale (play)

"When as the Rie reach to the chin, And chopcherrie chopcherrie ripe within, Strawberries swimming in the creame, And schoole boyes playing in the streame: Then O, then O, then O my true love said, Till that time come againe, Shee could not live a maid."

"Gently dip: but not too deepe; For feare you make the gouldē beard to weepe. Faire maiden white and red, Combe me smoothe, and stroke my head: And thou shalt have some cockell bread. Gently dippe, but not too deepe, For feare thou make the gouldē beard to weep. Fair maide, white and redde, Combe me smooth, and stroke my head; And every haire, a sheave shall be, And every sheave a goulden tree."

"All yee that lovely lovers be, Pray you for me, Loe here we come a sowing, a sowing, And sowe sweete fruites of love: In your sweete hearts well may it proove.Loe heere we come a reaping, a reaping, To reape our harvest fruite, And thus we passe the yeare so long, And never be we mute."