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by Thomas Stanley (1625 - 1678)

The Return
 (Sung text for setting by J. Gamble)
 See original
Language: English 
Beauty whose soft magnetic chains
Nor time not absence can untie,
Thy power the narrow bounds disdains 
Of Nature or Philosophy;
That canst by unconfined laws
A motion, though at distance; cause. 

Drawn by the powerful Influence
Of thy bright eyes, I back return;
And since I nowhere can dispense
With flames which do in absence burn,
I rather choose 'twixt them t'expire,
Then languish in a hidden fire.

But if thou th’ insulting pride
Of vulgar beauties dost despise,
Who by vain triumphs deified
Their votaries do sacrifice,
Then let those flames, whose magic charm
At distance scorch'd, approach'd, but warm.

Composition:

    Set to music by John Gamble (d. 1687), "The Return", published 1657 [ voice and bass continuo ], from Ayres and dialogues, no. 1, Confirmed with Ayres and dialogues (to be sung to the theorbo-lute or bass-viol) by John Gamble. Printed by W. Godbid for Humphry Mosley at the Princes-Arms In St. Paul's Church-yard, London 1657.
        Score: IMSLP [external link]

Text Authorship:

  • by Thomas Stanley (1625 - 1678), "The Return"

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Researcher for this page: Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2025-11-29
Line count: 18
Word count: 105

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