Play, Phœbus, on thy lute; And we will all sit mute, By listening to thy lyre, That sets all ears on fire. Hark, hark, the god does play! And as he leads the way Through heaven the very spheres, As men, turn all to ears.
Twenty-Five Songs in Five Sets of Five Each: Set III , opus 52
by Fritz Bennicke Hart (1874 - 1949)
1. A canticle to Apollo [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Text Authorship:
- by Robert Herrick (1591 - 1674), "A canticle to Apollo"
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2. A vow to Mars [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Store of courage to me grant, Now I'm turn'd a combatant; Help me, so that I my shield, Fighting, lose not in the field. That's the greatest shame of all That in warfare can befall. Do but this, and there shall be Offer'd up a wolf to thee.
3. A hymn to Neptune [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Mighty Neptune, may it please Thee, the rector of the seas, That my barque may safely run Through thy watery region; And a tunny-fish shall be Offered up with thanks to thee.
Text Authorship:
- by Robert Herrick (1591 - 1674), "A hymn to Neptune"
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4. A short hymn to Venus [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Goddess, I do love a girl, Ruby-lipp'd and tooth'd with pearl; If so be I may but prove Lucky in this maid I love, I will promise there shall be Myrtles offer'd up to thee.
Text Authorship:
- by Robert Herrick (1591 - 1674), "A short hymn to Venus"
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5. Jove ‑‑ Evensong [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Begin with Jove; then is the work half done, And runs most smoothly when 'tis well begun. Jove's is the first and last: the morn's his due, The midst is thine; but Jove's the evening too; As sure a matins does to him belong, So sure he lays claim to the evensong.