by Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)
Sonnet 'On hearing the Dies Iræ sung in the Sistine Chapel' Matches original text
Language: English
Nay, Lord, not thus! white lilies in the spring, Sad olive-groves, or silver-breasted dove, Teach me more clearly of Thy life and love Than terrors of red flame and thundering. The empurpled vines dear memories of Thee bring: A bird at evening flying to its nest, Tells me of One who had no place of rest: I think it is of Thee the sparrows sing. Come rather on some autumn afternoon, When red and brown are burnished on the leaves, And the fields echo to the gleaner's song, Come when the splendid fulness of the moon Looks down upon the rows of golden sheaves, And reap Thy harvest: we have waited long.
Composition:
- Set to music by Daniel Ruyneman (1886 - 1963), "Sonnet 'On hearing the Dies Iræ sung in the Sistine Chapel'", 1949, from Seven melodies, no. 2
Text Authorship:
- by Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900), "Sonnet on hearing the Dies Iræ sung in the Sistine Chapel", from Poems, first published 1881, revised 1882
See other settings of this text.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-09-18
Line count: 14
Word count: 112