by Paul Whitehead (1710 - 1774)
Diana hunting on a day
Language: English
Diana hunting on a day, Beheld where cupid sleeping lay, His quiver by his head: One of his darts she stole away, And one of her's did close convey Into the other's stead. When next the archer through the grove, In search of prey, did wanton rove, Aurelia fair he spy'd; Aurelia. who to Damon's pray'r Disdain’d to lend a tender ear, And Cupid’s pow'r defy'd. Soon as he ey'd the rebel maid; “Now know my pow'r!” enrag'd, he said; Then levell'd at her heart: Full to the head the shaft he drew; But harmless to her breast it flew, For lo! – ‘twas Dian’s dart. Exulting, then fair-one cry'd, “Fond urchin lay your bow aside; Your quiver be unbound: Would you Aurelia’s heart subdue. Thy plaything arrows ne'er will do: Bid Damon give the wound.”
About the headline (FAQ)
Confirmed with A Complete Edition of the Poets of Great Britain Volume 10, John & Arthur Arch, London and for Bell & Bradfute & I. Mundell & Company, Edinburgh, 1794, Page 863.
Authorship:
- by Paul Whitehead (1710 - 1774), "Cupid Baffled" [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 Michael Christian Festing (1705 - 1752), "Diana Hunting", published 1740 [ voice and piano ], Verified with Melodia Britannica Arranged by Thomas Busby, printed for the Conductor; sold by Parsons; Symonds; Riley & Willis, London. c. 1800.  [sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this page: Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2023-12-03
Line count: 24
Word count: 136