Fear no more the heat o' the sun

General information

Lyricist: William Shakespeare from Cymbeline Act IV scene 2.

Settings by composers

• Mark Chapman SATB
• Michael Gray SAB (vv.1-3 only)
• James Greenhill SATB (vv.1 - 3 0nly)
• George Alexander Macfarren SATB

Texts and Translations

English text

1  Fear no more the heat o' the sun,
Nor the furious winter's 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.

2  Fear no more the frown o' the 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.

3  Fear no more the lightning-flash,
Nor the 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.

4  No exorciser harm thee!
Nor no witchcraft charm thee!
Ghost unlaid forbear thee!
Nothing ill come near thee!
Quiet consummation have;
And renownéd be thy grave!