by Thomas Southerne (1660 - 1746)
Though you make no return
Language: English
Though you make no return to my Passion, Still I presume to Adore: 'Tis in Love but an odd Reputation, Faintly repuls'd to give o're: When you talk of your Duty, I gaze on your Beauty, Nor mind the dull Maxime at all; Let it Reign in Cheapside, With the Citizen's Bride, It will ne'er be receiv'd in Whitehall. What Apocryphal tales are you told? By one, who wou'd make you believe, That, because of to have, and to hold, You still must be Pinn'd to his Sleeve: 'Tis apparent High Treason, Against Love, and Reason, Shou'd one such a Treasure engross, He that knows not the Joys, That attend such a Choice, Shou'd resign to another who does.
Authorship:
- by Thomas Southerne (1660 - 1746) [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 Purcell (1658/9 - 1695), "Though you make no return", Z. 601 no. 1, from the incidental music to The Maid's Last Prayer -or- Any Rather Than Fail, no. 1 [sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this page: Virginia Knight
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 20
Word count: 119