by John Dryden (1631 - 1700) and by Robert Howard, Sir (1626 - 1698)

I attempt from love's sickness to fly
 (Sung text for setting by B. Britten)
 Matches base text
Language: English 
Our translations:  CAT FRE GER
I attempt from Love's sickness to fly in vain,
Since I am myself my own fever and pain.

No more now, fond heart, with pride no more swell,
Thou canst not raise forces enough to rebel.
  I attempt from Love's sickness, etc..

For Love has more power and less mercy than fate,
To make us seek ruin and love those that hate.
  I attempt from Love's sickness, etc..

Composition:

    Set to music by (Edward) Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976), "I attempt from love's sickness to fly", 1960 [ voice and piano ], a realization of the Purcell song. Confirmed with a CD booklet

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

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

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2024, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "J'essaie d'échapper à la maladie de l'amour", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • GER German (Deutsch) (Elaine Marie Ortiz-Arandes) , "Vergebens suche ich der Krankheit der Liebe zu entfliehen", copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this page: Virginia Knight

This text was added to the website: 2003-11-15
Line count: 8
Word count: 68