Haste, my Nannette, <br />My lovely maid, <br />Haste to the bower <br />Thy swain has made. <br />For thee alone <br />I made the bower, <br />And strew'd the couch <br />With many a flower. <br />None but my sheep <br />Shall near us come; <br />Venus be praised <br />My sheep are dumb. <br />Great god of love <br />Take thou my crook, <br />To keep the wolf <br />From Nannette's flock. <br />Guard thou the sheep <br />To her so dear; <br />My own, alas! <br />Are less my care. <br />But of the wolf <br />If thou'rt afraid, <br />Come not to us <br />To call for aid; <br />For with her swain <br />My love shall stay, <br />Though the wolf stroll <br />And the sheep stray.<br /><br />Matthew Prior<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/songs-set-to-music-27/
