A Sparrow-Hawk proud did hold in wicked jail
Music's sweet chorister, the nightingale,
To whom with sighs she said: "O set me free!
And in my song I'll praise no bird but thee."
The hawk replied, "I will not lose my diet
To let a thousand such enjoy their quiet."

Lyrics from the Song-Books of the Elizabethan Age, ed. by A. H. Bullen, London, John C. Nimmo, 1887, page 2.

Composition:

Set to music by Thomas Weelkes (1576 - 1623), "A Sparrow-Hawk proud did hold in wicked jail", published 1600 [ six-part chorus ], from Madrigals of Six Parts, madrigal

Text Authorship:

• by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2011-01-07
Line count: 6
Word count: 50