Shakespeare on Winter

A "Winterlude" from William Shakespeare

Here, in honor of the musical portion of this blog's title as well as the coming season of the year, is a song from Shakespeare's play As You Like It. And -- certainly -- I hope you like it.

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Blow, blow thou winter wind,
Thou art not so unkind
As man's ingratitude;
Thy tooth is not so keen,
Because thou art not seen,
Although thy breath be rude.

Heigh ho! sing, heigh ho! unto the green holly:
Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly:
Then, heigh ho, the holly!
This life is most jolly.


Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky!
That dost not bite so nigh
As benefits forgot;
Though thou the waters warp*
Thy sting is not so sharp
As friend remembered not.



*transform