Why so pale and wan, fond lover?
  Prithee, why so pale?
Will, when looking well can't move her,
  Looking ill prevail?
  Prithee, why so pale?

Why so dull and mute, young sinner?
  Prithee, why so mute?
Will, when speaking well can't win her,
  Saying nothing do't?
  Prithee, why so mute?

Quit, quit for shame, this will not move,
  This cannot take her;
If of herself she will not love,
  Nothing can make her;
  The devil take her!

Composition:

Set to music by Leonard J[ordan] Lehrman (b. 1949), "Simple song", op. 35 no. 1 (1973), first performed 1973 [ voice and harpsichord or piano ], from Simple songs, no. 1

Text Authorship:

• by John Suckling, Sir (1609 - 1642), no title, written 1637, Printed by John Haviland for Thomas Walkley, at the sign of the Flying Horse near York House, London, first published 1638

See other settings of this text.

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

• GER German (Deutsch) (Adolf von Marées) , "Warum so blaß?"

Research team for this page: Ted Perry , Guy Laffaille [Guest Editor] , Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor] , Johann Winkler

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 15
Word count: 77