Fair Summer Droops / Thomas Nashe

Fair Summer Droops

Fair summer droops, droop men and beasts therefore,
So fair a summer look for nevermore:
    All good things vanish less than in a day,
    Peace, plenty, pleasure, suddenly decay.
        Go not yet hence, bright soul of the sad year,
        The earth is hell when thou leav’st to appear.

What, shall those flowers that decked thy garland erst,
Upon thy grave be wastefully dispersed?
    O trees, consume your sap in sorrow’s source,
    Streams, turn to tears your tributary course.
        Go not yet hence, bright soul of the sad year,
        The earth is hell when thou leav’st to appear.

~~
Thomas Nashe (1567-1601)
from Summer's Last Will and Testament, 1600

[Poem is in the public domain worldwide]

Thomas Nashe biography
Summer's Last Will and Testament

"Fair Summer Droops" ready by Richard Mitchley. Courtesy The Orchard Enterprises.