| Andrew Macphail, comp. The Book of Sorrow. 1916. | | | I. Serenity
‘Fear no more the heat o’ the sun’ | | By William Shakespeare (1564–1616) |
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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, | 5 |
| As chimney-sweepers, come to dust. | |
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| 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: | 10 |
| The sceptre, learning, physic, must | |
| All follow this, and come to dust. | |
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| Fear no more the lightning-flash, | |
| Nor the all-dreaded thunder-stone; | |
| Fear not slander, censure rash; | 15 |
| Thou hast finish’d joy and moan: | |
| All lovers young, all lovers must | |
| Consign to thee, and come to dust. | |
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| No exorciser harm thee! | |
| Nor no witchcraft charm thee! | 20 |
| Ghost unlaid forbear thee! | |
| Nothing ill come near thee! | |
| Quiet consummation have; | |
| And renownèd be thy grave! | | | | |
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