When Phoebus First

Written by：John Dowland

When Phoebus first did Daphne love

And no means might her favour move

He crav'd the cause the cause quoth she

Is I have vow'd virginity

Then in a rage he sware and said

Past fifteen none but one should live a maid

Then in a rage he sware and said

Past fifteen none but one should live a maid

If maidens then shall chance be sped

Ere they can scarcely dress their head

Yet pardon them for they be loath

To make good Phoebus break his oath

And better twere a child be born

Than that a god

But gone you be forsworn

And better twere a child be born

Than that a god

But gone you be forsworn