by Carew Raleigh (1605 - 1666)
The surprise
Language: English
Careless of Love & free from Fears, I sate and gaz'd on Stella's eyes, thinking my Reason or my Years might keep me safe from all surprize. But Love, that hath been long despis'd, And made the Baud to others trust, Finding his Deity surpriz'd, And chang'd into degenerate Lust, Summon'd up all his strength and power, Making her face his Magazine, Where Virtue's grace, and Beauty's flowre He plac'd his Godhead to redeem. So that too late (alas) I finde No steeled Armour is of proof, Nor can the best resolved minde Resist her Beauty and her Youth. But yet the folly to untwist, That loving I deserve no blame; Were it not Atheisme to resist Where Godds themselves conspire her flame.
Text Authorship:
- by Carew Raleigh (1605 - 1666) [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), "The surprise", 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: 20
Word count: 123