by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
O what shall I do?
Language: English
O what shall I do, or whither shall I turn me? Shall I make unto her eyes? O no they'll burn me. Shall I seal up my eyes and speak my part? Then in a flood of tears I drown my heart. For tears being stopped will swell for scope, Though they o'erflow love, life, and hope. By beauty's eye I'll choose to die. At thy feet I fall Fair creature rich in beauty, And for pity call, O kill not love and duty. Let thy smooth tongue fan on my sense thy breath To stay thine eyes from burning me to death. But if mercy be exiled From a thing so fair compiled, Then patiently By thee I'll die.
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 John Wilbye (1574 - 1638), "O what shall I do?", published 1609 [ vocal trio], madrigal [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2004-12-08
Line count: 18
Word count: 120