by Thomas Carew (1595? - 1639?)

He that love's a Rosie Cheek
Language: English 
He that love's a Rosie Cheek
or a Corall lip admires;
or from Starlike eyes doth seek 
fuell to maintain his fires,
as old time makes these decay,
so his flames must wafte away.

But a smooth and steadfast minde,
Gentle thoughts, and calme desires,
Hearts with equall love combin'd,
Kindle never-dying fires:
Where these are not, I dispise
Lovely Cheekes, or Lips, or Eyes.

Cælia, now no tears can win
My resolv'd heart to return;
I have search'd thy soul within,
And find nought but pride and scorn :
I have learn'd those Arts, and now
Can disdaine as much as thou.

Some God in my revenge convey 
that Love to her I cast away.

Available sung texts:   ← What is this?

•   J. Berger 

J. Berger sets stanzas 1-2

About the headline (FAQ)

Modernized spelling used by Berger: 

He that loves a rosy cheek,
Or a coral lip admires,
Or from star-like eyes doth seek
Fuel to maintain his fires;
As Old Time makes these decay,
So his flames must waste away.
 
But a smooth and steadfast mind,
Gentle thoughts and calm desires,
Hearts, with equal love combined,
Kindle never dying fires:
Where these are not, I despise
Lovely cheeks or lips or eyes.


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Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):


Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , John Glenn Paton [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2014-04-15
Line count: 20
Word count: 115