by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
Of gold all burnished, brighter than...
Language: English
Of gold all burnished, brighter than sunbeams, Were those curled locks upon her noble head Whose deep conceits my true deserving fled. Wherefore mine eyes such store of tears outstreams. Her eyes, fair stars ; her red, like damask rose ; White, silver shine of moon on crystal stream ; Her beauty perfect, whereon fancies dream. Her lips are rubies ; teeth, of pearls two rows. Her breath more sweet than perfect amber is ; Her years in prime ; and nothing doth she want That might draw gods from heaven to further bliss. Of all things perfect this I most complain, Her heart is rock, made all of adamant. Gifts all delight, this last doth only pain.
W. Byrd sets stanza 1 in (at least) one setting - see below for more information
W. Byrd sets stanza 2 in (at least) one setting - see below for more information
About the headline (FAQ)
Text 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 Byrd (1542?3? - 1623), "Of gold all burnished", published 1589, stanza 1 [SATTB chorus a cappella], from the collection Songs of sundrie natures, no. 36. [text verified 1 time]
- by William Byrd (1542?3? - 1623), "Her breath is more sweet", published 1589, stanza 2 [ chorus a cappella], from the collection Songs of sundrie natures, no. 37. [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-08-09
Line count: 14
Word count: 112