I collected the instruments of life around me, that I might infuse a spark into the lifeless thing at my feet. It was already one in the morning: rain pattered dismally against the panes, and my lamp was nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light, I saw the dull, yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard. How to describe my emotions...? How delineate the wretch? Yellow skin scarcely covering muscles, arteries; hair a lustrous black, and flowing; teeth all pearly whiteness. I had chosen these features as beautiful. Beautiful! Great God!
Moonlight on a Midnight Stream
Song Cycle by David Evan Thomas (b. 1958)
4. A Ghost Story  [sung text checked 1 time]
Language: English
Authorship:
- by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (1797 - 1851), no title, from Frankenstein, chapter V
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Researcher for this page: Dave Evan Thomas7. Mutability  [sung text checked 1 time]
Language: English
The flower that smiles to-day To-morrow dies; All that we wish to stay Tempts and then flies. What is this world's delight? Lightning that mocks the night, Brief even as bright. Virtue, how frail it is! Friendship how rare! Love, how it sells poor bliss For proud despair! [But we, though soon they fall, Survive their joy, and all Which ours we call.]1 [Whilst]2 skies are blue and bright, Whilst flowers are gay, Whilst eyes that change ere night Make glad the day; Whilst yet the calm hours creep, Dream [thou]3 -- and from thy sleep Then wake to weep.
Authorship:
- by Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792 - 1822), "Mutability", first published 1824
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CZE Czech (Čeština) (Jaroslav Vrchlický) , "Změna", Prague, J. Otto, first published 1901
1 omitted by D. E. Thomas
2 Stöhr: "While"
3 Stöhr: "then"
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Johann Winkler
10. Valediction  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
My soul is an enchanted boat,
Which, like a sleeping swan, doth float
Upon the silver waves of thy sweet singing;
And thine doth like an angel sit
Beside a helm conducting it,
Whilst all the winds with melody are ringing.
It seems to float ever, forever,
Upon that many-winding river,
Between mountains, woods, abysses,
A paradise of wildernesses!
Till, like one in slumber bound,
Borne to the ocean, I float down, around,
Into a sea profound, of ever-spreading sound:
[ ... ]
Authorship:
- by Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792 - 1822), appears in Prometheus Unbound, lines of Asia from Act II scene V, lines 39-48 and 72-97.
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]Total word count: 439