To His Imaginary Mistress

Song Cycle by Bruce Adolphe (b. 1955)

1. Upon Julia's clothes  [sung text not yet checked]

Whenas in silks my Julia goes,
Then, then (methinks) [how]1 sweetly flows
That liquefaction of her clothes. 

Next, when I cast mine eyes, and see
That brave vibration each way free,
O how that glittering taketh me!

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1 Still: "more"

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

2. To the river 

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3. The amber bead  [sung text not yet checked]

I saw a fly within a bead
Of amber cleanly buried ;
The urn was little, but the room
More rich than Cleopatra's tomb.

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

4. A willow garland  [sung text not yet checked]

A willow garland thou did'st send
    Perfum'd, last day, to me,
Which did but only this portend —
    I was forsook by thee.

Since so it is, I'll tell thee what,
    To-morrow thou shalt see
Me wear the willow ; after that,
    To die upon the tree.

As beasts unto the altars go
    With garlands dress'd, so I
Will, with my willow-wreath, also
    Come forth and sweetly die.

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Confirmed with Works of Robert Herrick, Vol I, ed. by Alfred Pollard, London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891, page 201.


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Total word count: 129