by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
Elegy IV
Language: English
In a Vale clos'd with Woodland, where Grottoes abound, Where Rivulets murmur and Echoes are found, I vowed to the Muses my Time and my Care Since neither could win me the Smiles of my Fair. As Freedom inspir’d me I rang’d and I sung, And Daphne’s dear Name never fell from my Tongue. But if a smooth Accent delighted my Ear, I should wish unawares that my Daphne might hear. With fairest Ideas my Bosom I stor’d, To drive from my Heart the fair Nymph I adored, But the more I with Study my Fancy refin’d The deeper Impression she made in my Mind. Ah! whilst I the Beauties of Nature pursue, I still must my Daphne’s fair Image renew: The Graces have chosen with Daphne to rove And the Muses are all in Alliance with Love.
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 William Jackson (1730 - 1803), "Elegy IV", op. 3 no. 5, published 1762 [ vocal trio for 2 tenors, bass and continuo ], from Elegies, no. 5, Confirmed with Elegies, composed by William Jackson of Exeter, London 1762. [sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this page: Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2023-03-29
Line count: 16
Word count: 138