Page 1437 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

CLAUDIO

(reading from a scroll)

Epitaph
Done to death by slanderous tongues
Was the Hero that here lies;

Death, in guerdon of her wrongs, [5]
Gives her fame which never dies.
So the life that died with shame
Lives in death with glorious fame.

Hang thou there upon the tomb
Praising her when I am dumb. [10]
Now, music, sound, and sing your solemn hymn.

Song

BALTHASAR
Pardon, goddess of the night,

Those that slew thy virgin knight;
For the which, with songs of woe,
Round about her tomb they go. [15]
Midnight, assist our moan,

Help us to sigh and groan,
Heavily, heavily.
Graves yawn and yield your dead,
Till death be utterèd, [20]

Heavily, heavily.

CLAUDIO
Now, unto thy bones good night!
Yearly will I do this rite.

DON PEDRO
Good morrow, masters; put your torches out;
The wolves have preyed, and look, the gentle day, [25]

Before the wheels of Phoebus, round about
Dapples the drowsy east with spots of grey.
Thanks to you all, and leave us; fare you well.