It did me much surprise
 Down by a shady myrtle grove
 Just as the sun did rise.
 The birds they sang right gloriously
 And pleasent was the air
 And there was non save she and I
 among the flowers fair.

 In dewy grass and green we walked
 She timid was and coy
 How can'st thou choose but pity me
 My pretty pearl, my joy
 How comes it that thou stroll this way?
 Sweet maiden tell me true
 Before bright Phoebus' glittering ray
 Has supped the morning dew?

 I go to tend the flocks I love
 The ewes and tender lambs
 That pasture by the myrtle grove
 That gambol by their dams
 There I enjoy a pure content
 At dawning of the day
 Then, hand in hand, we lovers went
 To see the flock at play.

 And as we wended down the road
 I said to her, "Sweet maid,
 Three years I in my place abode
 And three more must be stayed
 The three that I am bound so fast
 O fairest wait for me
 And when the weary years are past
 Then wedded we will be."

 "Three years are long, three times too long
 Too lengthy the delay"
 And then I answered in my song
 "Hope wastes them quick away
 Where love is fervent, fain and fast
 And knoweth not decay
 There nimbly fleet the seasons past
 Accounted as one day