by Thomas Carew (1595? - 1639?)
In the person of a lady to her inconstant servant
Language: English
When on the Altar of my hand (bedew'd with many a kisse and teare,) thy now revolted heart did stand an humble Martyr, thou didst swear, thus, and the God of Love did hear; by those bright glances of thine eye, unlesse thou pitty me I dye. When first those perjur'd lips of thine, Bepal'd with blasting sighs, did seale Their violated faith on mine, From the bosome, that did heale Thee, thou my melting heart didst steale My soule enflam'd with thy false breath, Poyson'd with kisses, suck't in death. Yet I nor hand nor lip will move, Revenge or Mercy to procure From the offended God of Love; My curse is fatall, and my pure Love shall beyond thy scorn endure If I implore the Godds, they'l find Thee too ingratefull, me too kind.
Text Authorship:
- by Thomas Carew (1595? - 1639?) [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 Henry Lawes (c1595 - 1662), "In the person of a lady to her inconstant servant", from the collection Ayres and Dialogues, Book 1 [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2014-04-15
Line count: 21
Word count: 136