Would I could bark the sun out of the sky; Turn Moon and stars to frozen Meteors; And make the Ocean a dry land of Ice; With tempest of my breath turn up high trees; On mountains heap up second mounts of snow, Which, melted into water, might fall down, As fell the deluge on the former world. I hate the air, the fire, the Spring, the year, And whatsoe'er brings mankind any good. O that my looks were lightning to blast fruits! ... Would I with thunder presently might die, So I might speak in thunder, to slay men. Earth, if I cannot injure thee enough, I'll bite thee with my teeth, I'll scratch thee thus; I'll beat down the partition with my heels, Which, as a mud-vault, severs hell and thee. Spirits, come up; 'tis I that knock for you, One that envies the world far more than you; Come up in millions; millions are too few To execute the malice I intend.
Nashe Songs
Song Cycle by David Rowland (b. 1939)
1. Would I could bark the sun [sung text not yet checked]
Authorship:
- by Thomas Nashe (1567 - 1601), no title, appears in Summer's Last Will and Testament [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
2. Adieu, farewell earth's bliss [sung text checked 1 time]
Adieu, farewell earth's blisse,
This world uncertain is,
Fond are lifes lustfull joyes,
Death proves them all but toyes.
None from his darts can flye,
I am sick I must die--
Lord have mercy on us.
[ ... ]
Authorship:
- by Thomas Nashe (1567 - 1601), "A Litany in Time of Plague", written 1593, appears in Summer's Last Will and Testament, first published 1600 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
See other settings of this text.
View original text (without footnotes)1 Rowland: "cannot"
Researcher for this text: Ahmed E. Ismail
3. I saw a summer banqueting house [sung text not yet checked]
I saw a summer banqueting house belonging to a merchant, that was the marvel of the world, and could not be matched except God should make another paradise. It was built round of green marble like a theatre without; within there was a heaven and earth comprehended both under one roof. The heaven was a clear overhanging vault of crystal, wherein the sun and moon and each visible star had his true similitude, shine, situation and motion.
Authorship:
- by Thomas Nashe (1567 - 1601), appears in The Unfortunate Traveller [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
4. Strength stoops unto the grave [sung text checked 1 time]
[ ... ] Strength stoops unto the grave, Worms feed on Hector brave Swords [may not]1 fight with fate Earth still holds ope her gate; Come, come! the bells do cry; I am sick, I must die-- Lord have mercy on us. [ ... ]
Authorship:
- by Thomas Nashe (1567 - 1601), "A Litany in Time of Plague", written 1593, appears in Summer's Last Will and Testament, first published 1600 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
See other settings of this text.
View original text (without footnotes)1 Rowland: "cannot"
Researcher for this text: Ahmed E. Ismail
5. Thy lips on mine [sung text not yet checked]
If I must die, oh let me choose my death:
Suck out my soul with kisses, cruel maid,
In thy breast's crystal balls embalm my breath,
Dole it all out in sighs when I am laid.
Thy lips on mine like cupping-glasses clasp,
Let our tongues meet and strive as they would sting,
Crush out my wind with one straight girting grasp,
Stabs on my heart keep time whilst thou dost sing.
Thy eyes like searing irons burn out mine,
In thy fair tresses stifle me outright;
Like Circe change me to a loathsome swine,
So I may live forever in thy sight.
Into heaven's joys none can profoundly see
Except that first they meditate on thee.
Authorship:
- by Thomas Nashe (1567 - 1601), no title, appears in The Unfortunate Traveller, first published 1594 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Total word count: 783