ROUNDELAY

by: Richard Jago (1715-1781)

ISTERS of the tuneful train,

Attend your parent' s jocund strain,

'Tis Fancy calls you; follow me

To celebrate the Jubilee.

 

On Avon's banks, where Shakespeare's bust

Points out, and guards his sleeping dust;

The sons of scenic mirth agree,

To celebrate the Jubilee.

 

Come, daughters, come, and bring with you,

Th'aerial Sprites and Fairy-crew,

And the sister Graces three,

To celebrate the Jubilee.

 

Hang around the sculptur'd tomb

The 'broider'd vest, the nodding plume,

And the mask of comic glee,

To celebrate the Jubilee.

 

From Birnam Wood, and Bosworth Field,

Bring the standard, bring the shield,

With drums and martial symphony,

To celebrate the Jubilee.

 

In mournful numbers now relate

Poor Desdemona's hapless fate,

With frantic deeds of jealousy,

To celebrate the Jubilee.

 

Nor be Windsor's Wives forgot,

With their harmless merry plot,

The whitening mead, and haunted tree,

To celebrate the Jubilee.

 

Now in jocund strains recite

The humours of the braggard Knight,

Fat Knight, and ancient Pistol he,

To celebrate the Jubilee.

 

But see in crowds the Gay, the Fair,

To the splendid scene repair,

A scene as line as fine can be,

To celebrate the Jubilee.

• Richard Jago: Bibliography - A bibliography of the works of Richard Jago.