CYMBELINE
From: The visit (1991). 
(Music by Loreena McKennitt / Lyrics by William Shakespeare)
Loreena McKennitt


Here are William Shakespeare's thoughts on this early visit. This 
song occurs towards the end of hie "romance" play Cymbeline, which was
written near the end of the author's life. The play is set in ancient 
Britain when the Romans were invading the last remaining outpost of 
the old Celtic order. - L.M. 

The last two verses are not sung by Loreena, and the two sets of two 
lines are added by her to the original song of Shakespeare, which can 
be found in Cymbeline, Act IV, Sc. II (lines 258-281). 

A live version appears on Live in Paris and Toronto (1999). 
Fear no more the heat o' th' sun
Nor the furious winters' rages;
Thou thy worldly task hast done,
Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages.
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.

The sceptre, learning, physic, must
All follow this and come to dust.

Fear no more the frown o' th' great;
Thou art past the tyrant's stroke.
Care no more to clothe and eat;
To thee the reed is as the oak.
The sceptre, learning, physic, must
All follow this and come to dust.

All lovers young, all lovers must
Consign to thee and come to dust.

Fear no more the lightning flash,
Nor th' all-dreaded thunder stone;
Fear not slander, censure rash;
Thou hast finished joy and moan.
All lovers young, all lovers must
Consign to thee and come to dust.

No exorciser harm thee!
Nor no witchcraft charm thee!
Ghost unlaid forbear thee!
Nothing ill come hear thee!
Quiet consummation have,
And renowned by thy grave!