by George, Lord Lyttelton (1709 - 1773)
When Delia on the plain appears
Language: English
When Delia on the plain appears, Aw'd by a thousand tender fears, I would approach, but dare not move: Tell me, my heart, if this be love? Whene'er she speaks, my ravish'd ear No other voice but her's can hear, No other wit but her's approve: Tell me, my heart, if this be love? If she some other youth commend, Though I was once his fondest friend, His instant enemy I prove: Tell me, my heart, if this be love? When she is absent, I no more Delight in all that pleas'd before, The clearest spring, or shadiest grove: Tell me, my heart, if this be love? When, fond of power, of beauty vain, Her nets she spread for every swain, I strove to hate, but vainly strove: Tell me, my heart, if this be love?
About the headline (FAQ)
Confirmed with The Poetical Works of George, Lord Lyttelton, London: Printed for Cadell and Davies, etc., 1801, pages 63-64.Authorship:
- by George, Lord Lyttelton (1709 - 1773), "Song", written 1732 [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 Maude Valérie White (1855 - 1937), "When Delia on the plain appears", published 1880 [ voice and piano ], London, Stanley Lucas, Weber & Co. [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2013-05-30
Line count: 20
Word count: 136