Explore "The Affectionate Shepherd" by Richard Barnfield on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Of all the kindes of common countrey life, / Methinkes a shepheards life is most content; / His state is quiet peace, devoyd of strife; / His thoughts are pure from all impure intent, / His pleasures rate sits at an easie rent; / He beares no mallice in his harmles hart, / Malicious meaning hath in him no part.
He is not troubled with th' afflicted minde, / His cares are onely over silly sheepe; / He is not unto jealozie inclinde, / (Thrice happie man) he knowes not how to weepe; / Whilst I the treble in deepe sorrowes keepe. / I cannot keepe the meane; for why (alas) / Griefes have no meane, though I for meane doe passe.