Two Nonsense Verses, an Epigram and a Madrigal

Song Cycle by Jürg Wyttenbach (b. 1935)

1. Two nonsense verses [sung text not yet checked]

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Hark to the whimper of the sea-gull
 [ ... ]

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]


The turtles lives 'twixt plated decks
 [ ... ]

Text Authorship:

  • by Ogden Nash (1902 - 1971), "The turtle", appears in Hard Lines, first published 1931, copyright ©

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

2. Epigram
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
Sir, I admit your general rule,
That every poet is a fool,
But you yourself may serve to show it,
That every fool is not a poet.

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

  • GER German (Deutsch) (Barbara Rufer) , "Das Sinngedicht", copyright ©, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Researcher for this page: Barbara Rufer

3. Madrigal
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
My Love in her attire doth show her wit,
It doth so well become her:
For every season she hath dressings fit,
For winter, spring, and summer.

No beauty she doth miss
When all her robes are on:
But Beauty's self, Beauty's self she is
When all her robes are gone.

Text Authorship:

  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author ( 17th century ) , "Davison's Poetical Rhapsody"

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Researcher for this page: Barbara Rufer
Total word count: 78