by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
A Dialogue between Charon and Philomel
Language: English
Philomel: Charon! O gentle Charon! Let me woo thee with tears, and pity now come to me. Charon: What voice so sweet and charming do I hear? Say, what thou art? Philomel: I prithee first draw near. Charon: A sound I hear, but nothing yet I see: speak, where thou art? Philomel: O Charon, pity me! I am a shade, and though no name I tell, my mournful voice will say I'm Philomel. Charon: What's that to me? I waft nor fish, nor fowl, nor beast, fond thing, but only human souls. Philomel: Alas for me! Charon: Shame on thy warbling note, that made me hoist my sail and bring my boat, but I'll return: what mischief brought thee hither? Philomel: A deal of love, and much, much grief together. Charon: What's thy request? Philomel: That since she's now beneath that fed my life, I follow her in death. Charon: And that's all? I'm gone. Philomel: For love I pray thee. Charon: Talk not of love; all pray, but no souls pay me. Philomel: I'll give thee sighs and tears. Charon: Why then begin! Both: And all the while we make our slothful passage o'er the Stygian lake, thou and I'll sing, to snake these dull shades merry, who else with tears, will doubtless drown our ferry.
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 Lawes (1602 - 1645), "A Dialogue between Charon and Philomel" [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this page: Guy Laffaille [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2010-01-16
Line count: 42
Word count: 217