C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Thomas Nashe (1567–1601)

From ‘Summer’s Last Will and Testament’

FAIR Summer droops, droop men and beasts therefore;

So fair a summer look for never more:

All good things vanish less than in a day,—

Peace, plenty, pleasure suddenly decay.

Go not yet away, 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.