by George, Lord Lyttelton (1709 - 1773)
Say, Myra! why is gentle love
Language: English
Say, Myra! why is gentle love A stranger to that mind Which pity and esteem can move, Which can be just and kind? Is it, because you fear to share The ills that love molest; The jealous doubt, the tender care, That rack the amorous breast? Alas! by some degree of woe We every bliss must gain: The heart can ne'er a transport know, That never feels a pain.
About the headline (FAQ)
Confirmed with The Works of the English Poets, from Chaucer to Cowper; including the series edited, with prefaces, biographical and critical, by Dr. Samuel Johnson: and the most approved translations, Volume XIV, London, 1810, page 178.
Text Authorship:
- by George, Lord Lyttelton (1709 - 1773), "Song", subtitle: "Written in the Year 1732", written 1732 [author's text checked 1 time 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 Arnold Edward Trevor Bax, Sir (1883 - 1953), "Say, Myra! why is gentle love a stranger", 1900 [ voice and piano ] [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2021-12-27
Line count: 12
Word count: 69