by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
Led by a strong desire
Language: English
Led by a strong desire To have a thing unseen, Nothing could make me tire To be where as I had been. I got her sight, which made me think My thirst was gone because I saw my drink. Kept by the careful watch Of more than a hundred eyes, I sought but could not catch The thing she not denies. 'Tis better to be blind and fast Than, hungry, see thy love and can not taste. But lovers' eyes do wake When others are at rest; And in the night they slake The fire of day's unrest. Methinks that joy is of most worth Which painful Time and passed fears bring forth. Yet husbands do suppose To keep their wives by art, And parents will disclose By looks their children's heart. As if they which have will to do Had not the wit to blind such keepers too. Peace then, ye aged fools, That know yourselves so wise, That from experience schools Do think wit must arise. Give young men leave to think, and say: Your senses with your bodies do decay. Love ruleth like a god, Whom earth keeps not in awe, Nor fear of smarting rod Denounced by reason¼s law. Give grave advice, but rest you there. Youth hath his course and will; and you youths were. Think not by prying care To pick love's secrets out; If you suspicious are Yourselves resolve your doubt. Who seek to know such deeds once done Finds perjury before confession.
Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Robert Jones (fl. 1597-1615), "Led by a strong desire", published 1601, from the collection First Book of Airs, no. 5. [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2014-02-23
Line count: 42
Word count: 250