by Ernest Christopher Dowson (1867 - 1900)
I took her dainty eyes, as well
Language: English
I took her dainty eyes, as well As silken tendrils of her hair: And so I made a Villanelle! I took her voice, a silver bell, As clear as song, as soft as prayer; I took her dainty eyes as well. It may be, said I, who can tell, These things shall be my less despair? And so I made a Villanelle! I took her whiteness virginal And from her cheek two roses rare: I took her dainty eyes as well. I said: "It may be possible Her image from my heart to tear!" And so I made a Villanelle. I stole her laugh, most musical: I wrought it in with artful care; I took her dainty eyes as well; And so I made a Villanelle.
About the headline (FAQ)
First published in Temple Bar, August 1893, as "Of his lady's treasures", revised 1896.Text Authorship:
- by Ernest Christopher Dowson (1867 - 1900), "Villanelle of his lady's treasures" [author's text checked 1 time 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 Sven Lekberg (1899 - 1984), "A villanelle", published 1963 [ SATB chorus a cappella ], NY : Galaxy Music Corp. [sung text not yet checked]
- by Milan Roder (1878 - 1956), "Villanelle", published <<1940 [ voice and piano ], NY : G. Schirmer [sung text not yet checked]
- by Cyril Meir Scott (1879 - 1970), "And so I made a Villanelle", op. 65, published 1908 [ voice and piano ], London: Elkin [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-04-24
Line count: 19
Word count: 126