by Thomas Stanley (1625 - 1678)
The Answer See original
Language: English
Beauty thy harsh imperious chains, As a scorn'd weight I here un-tie; Since thy proud empire those disdains, Of reason or philosophy: That wouldst within tyrannic laws, Confine the power of each free cause. Forc'd by the powerful influence Of thy disdain, I back return: Thus with those flames I do dispense, Which though they would not light did burn, And rather will through cold expire, Then languish in a frozen fire. But whilst I the insulting pride Of thy vain beauty do despise, Who gladly would be deified By making me thy sacrifice, May Love thy heart, which is his charm, Approach'd, seem'd cold; at distance, warm.
Composition:
- Set to music by John Gamble (d. 1687), "The Answer", published 1657 [ voice and bass continuo ], from Ayres and dialogues, no. 2, 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), "Palinode"
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this page: Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2025-11-29
Line count: 18
Word count: 111