(1) The grammar of this verse is shocking both here and in the version of 1599. And there are considerable variations in the two versions. In that of 1599 the first word “Come” is omitted, without which the song could hardly be sung. Other slight defects of measure appear in both. But the editor of Marlowe’s Works has carefully corrected the grammar and the measure. And we will sit upon the rocks, Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks, By shallow rivers, to whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals. And I will make thee beds of roses, And a thousand fragrant posies, A cap of flowers and a kirtle Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle. A gown made of the finest wool, Which from our pretty lambs we pull, Fair lined slippers for the cold, With buckles of the purest gold: A belt of straw, and ivy buds With coral clasps and amber studs. [34] And if these pleasures may thee move, Come live with me and be my love. The shepherd swains shall dance and sing For thy delights each May−morning; If these delights thy mind may move, Then live with me and be my love. Finis. Chr. Marlowe. Here we have Marlowe credited with this song in 1600, seven years after his death. Is there any other evidence that he wrote it? A single line at the close of a ditty in his “Jew of Malta” parallels with the first line of this, except the first word: “Shall live with me and be my love.” The song, with many verbal amendments, and omitting the last stanza, is inserted in his “Works,” 1826. In the “Merry Wives of Windsor” act iii, scene ly Sir Hugh Evans sings the following four lines: “To shallow rivers, to whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals; There we will make our peds of roses, And a thousand fragrant posies.” This play was written in the latter part of 1599. In the earliest form of it Sir Hugh transposes and varies the lines thus: “And then she made him beds of roses, And a thousand fragrant posies.” Then after three lines of incoherent speech: “To shallow rivers, and to falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.” It would seem as if the song was familiar to the public in 1599 We now add from the “Helicon” the rest of No. xx of “The Passionate Pilgrim,” enlarged from one stanza to six: [35] The Nymph's reply to the Shepherd. If all the world and love were young, And truth in every shepherd’s tongue, These pretty pleasures might me move, To live with thee, and be thy love. Time drives the flocks from field to fold, When rivers rage, and rocks grow cold; And Philomel becometh dumb; The rest complain of cares to come.