I attempt from Love's sickness to fly | I attempt from Love's sickness to fly in vain

by John Dryden (1631 - 1700) and by Robert Howard, Sir (1626 - 1698)

I attempt from Love's sickness to fly in...

Language: English

Our translations: CAT FRE GER

I attempt from Love's sickness to fly in vain,
Since I am myself my own fever and pain.

No more now, fond heart, with pride no more swell,
Thou canst not raise forces enough to rebel.
  I attempt from Love's sickness, etc..

For Love has more power and less mercy than fate,
To make us seek ruin and love those that hate.
  I attempt from Love's sickness, etc..

About the headline (FAQ)

Text Authorship:

by John Dryden (1631 - 1700) [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
by Robert Howard, Sir (1626 - 1698) [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 (Edward) Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976), "I attempt from love's sickness to fly", 1960 [ voice and piano ], a realization of the Purcell song. Confirmed with a CD booklet [sung text checked 1 time]
by Henry Purcell (1658/9 - 1695), "I attempt from Love's sickness to fly", alternate title: "Rondo", Z. 630 (1695), from the incidental music to The Indian Queen, no. [sung text checked 1 time]

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

Researcher for this page: Virginia Knight

This text was added to the website: 2003-11-15
Line count: 8
Word count: 70