When that I was and a little tiny boy,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
A foolish thing was but a toy,
For the rain it raineth every day.
But when I came to man's estate,
With hey, ho, . . .
'Gainst knaves and thieves men shut their gate
For the rain, . . .
But when I came, alas! to wive,
With hey, ho, . . .
By swaggering could I never thrive,
For the rain, . . .
But when I came unto my beds,
With hey, ho, . . .
With toss-pots still had drunken heads,
For the rain, . . .
A great while ago the world begun,
With hey, ho, . . .
But that's all one, our play is done.
And we'll strive to please you every day.
More verses by William Shakespeare
- That Time Of Year Thou Mayst In Me Behold (Sonnet 73)
- Sonnet 105: Let Not My Love Be Called Idolatry
- Sonnet 103: Alack, What Poverty My Muse Brings Forth
- Sonnet 106: When In The Chronicle Of Wasted Time
- Sonnet 17: Who Will Believe My Verse In Time To Come