by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
Now I see thy looks were feignèd
Language: English
Now I see thy looks were feignèd Quickly lost, and quickly gainèd; Soft thy skin, like wool of wethers, Heart inconstant, light as feathers, Tongue untrusty, subtle sighted, Wanton will with change delighted. Siren, pleasant foe to reason, Cupid plague thee for thy treason! Of thine eye I made my mirror, From thy beauty came my error, All thy words I counted witty, All thy sighs I deemèd pity, Thy false tears, that me aggrievèd First of all my trust deceivèd. Siren, pleasant foe to reason, Cupid plague thee for thy treason! Feigned acceptance when I askèd, Lovely words with cunning maskèd, Holy vows, but heart unholy; Wretched man, my trust was folly; Lily white, and pretty winking, Solemn vows but sorry thinking. Siren, pleasant foe to reason, Cupid plague thee for thy treason! Now I see, O seemly cruel, Others warm them at my fuel, Wit shall guide me in this durance Since in love is no assurance: Change thy pasture, take thy pleasure, Beauty is a fading treasure. Siren, pleasant foe to reason, Cupid, plague thee for thy treason! Prime youth lasts not, age will follow And make white those tresses yellow; Wrinkled face, for looks delightful, Shall acquaint the dame despiteful. And when time shall date thy glory, Then too late thou wilt be sorry. Siren, pleasant foe to reason, Cupid plague thee for thy treason!
Lyrics from the Song-Books of the Elizabethan Age, ed. by A. H. Bullen, London, John C. Nimmo, 1887, pages 85-86.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Thomas Ford (d. 1648), "Now I see thy looks were feignèd", published 1607, from the collection Musicke of Sundrie Kindes [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2014-02-24
Line count: 40
Word count: 229