C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
Songs and Their Settings: Ophelia’s Lament
By William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
O
They bore him bare-faced on their bier;
Hey, non nonny, nonny, hey nonny:
And in his grave rained many a tear;—
Laertes—Hadst thou thy wits, and didst persuade revenge,
It could not move thus.
Ophelia—You must sing, Down a-down, an you call him a-down-a. Oh, how the wheel becomes it! It is the false steward, that stole his master’s daughter.
Laertes—This nothing’s more than matter.
Ophelia—There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray you, love, remember: and there is pansies; that’s for thoughts.
Laertes—A document in madness; thoughts and remembrance fitted.
Ophelia—There’s fennel for you, and columbines;—there’s rue for you; and here’s some for me; we may call it herb of grace o’ Sundays: you may wear your rue with a difference.—There’s a daisy: I would give you some violets; but they withered all when my father died.—They say he made a good end.
She turns to favor and to prettiness.
And will he not come again?
No, no, he is dead;
Gone to his death-bed,
He never will come again.
His beard was white as snow,
All flaxen was his poll;
He is gone, he is gone,
And we cast away moan:
God ha’ mercy on his soul!
And of all Christian souls! I pray God.—God be wi’ you![Exit Ophelia, dancing distractedly.