First shall the heavens want starry light

First shall the heavens want starry light,

The seas be robbèd of their waves;

The day want sun. and sun want bright,

The night want shade, the dead men graves;

The April flowers and leaf and tree.

Before I false my faith to thee.

First shall the tops of highest hills

By humble plains be overpried;

And poets scorn the Muses' quills,

And fish forsake the water-glide;

And Iris lose her coloured weed.

Before I fail thee at thy need.

First direful hate shall turn to peace,

And love relent in deep disdain;

And death his fatal stroke shall cease,

And envy pity every pain;

And pleasure mourn, and sorrow smile,

Before I talk of any guile.

First time shall stay his stayless race.

And winter bless his boughs with corn;

And snow bemoisten July's face,

And winter spring, and summer mourn,

Before my pen by help of fame

Cease to recite thy sacred name.