by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
She that would gain a faithful lover
Language: English
She that would gain a faithful lover Must at a distance keep the slave; Not by a look her heart discover, Men should but guess the thoughts we have. Whilst they're in doubt their flame increases, And all attendance they will pay; When once confess'd their ardour ceases, And vows like smoke soon fly away. Then, fond Aurelia, cease complaining, All thy reproaches useless prove; Beauties may conquer whilst disdaining, But lose their value when they love. So when a comet does appear, Men do with trembling view the blaze; The sun too common none does fear, Nor on his beams with wonder gaze.
Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author ( Lady E. M. )  [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 Henry Purcell (1658/9 - 1695), "She that would gain a faithful lover", Z. 414, published 1695. [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 104