Classic Poem

All virtuous persons who hear this song
Whose lives are chaste and placid,
Let them stop their ears to the monstrous wrong
Was wrought long since by Cressid:
Let the good go down to their marble vaults
With wreaths of memory dressed;
But all ye poor lovers who ever were false
Come shed a tear for Cressid.

Let the pure and noble go hand in hand
To the service of God addressed;
But ye whose hearts are as shifting sand
Speak but a word for Cressid:
Let bridal pairs in their arrased halls
Lie in honour and pride embraced;
But all ye fond lovers who ever were false
Come drink to the health of Cressid.

Now lift your voices, ye virtuous maids,
And walk in the sun enlaced
To a virginal melody sung and played
To curse the sin of Cressid;
Then sweeten your souls with a carol that calls
The name of Mary blessed;
But all ye fair ladies who ever were false
Come breathe a prayer for Cressid.

Come all ye sorrowful and forsworn,
Ye fallen and disgraced,
With crosses woven of willow and thorn
To the resting-place of Cressid:
The roseleaf falls at intervals
Upon the grave unblessed;
And let all true lovers who ever were false
Shed but one tear for Cressid.