by Nelle Richmond Eberhart (1871 - 1944)

Leave not this sea‑encircled isle
 (Sung text for setting by C. Cadman)
 Matches base text
Language: English 
Calypso, awful goddess, thus implored:

"Leave not, O love, this sea-encircled isle;
Leave not this grotto which our love has known,
The cypressed vales where Zephyrus awhile
Blows from the river reeds love's dulcet tone.

"Am I not fairer, I a goddess born,
Than mortal dame, however fair she be?
Am I not mighty, shall I bear thy scorn
Or yield thy lips to fond Penelope
Who spins her foolish web in Ithaca, forlorn
And weeping for the love of thee?

"Leave not, O love, this garden of our bliss!
I bind thee with a spell, my love, my kiss!"

Composition:

    Set to music by Charles Wakefield Cadman (1881 - 1946), "Leave not this sea-encircled isle", subtitle: "Calypso's song", op. 50 no. 2, published 1911 [ voice and piano ], from Three Songs to Odysseus, no. 2, available from Recital Publications, reprinted 1995

Text Authorship:

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2010-11-02
Line count: 13
Word count: 100