possibly by Christopher Hatton, Sir (1581 - 1619)

How art thou thrall’d, O poor despised...
Language: English 
How art thou thrall’d, O poor despised creature?
Sith by creation, Nature made thee free,
O traitorous eyes, to gaze so on her feature,
That quits with scorn thy dear lost liberty.

Farewell all joys, O Hell, now restless care’s my pillow, 
(Sweet Myrtle shades, farewell)
Now come sad Cypress and forlorn Love’s willow.
She smiles, she laughs, she joys at my tormenting,
(Break then poor heart)
Tossed on Despairs’ black billow, O let me die lamenting.

Gibbons: Text in brackets does not appear in all five voices.


Text Authorship:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

  • by Orlando Gibbons (1583 - 1625), "How art thou thrall’d, O poor despised creature?", published 1612 [ sattb chorus ], from First Set of Madrigals, no. 7-8, Verified with The First Sett of Madrigals and Mottets of 5. parts: apt for Viols and Voyces by Orlando Gibbons, Thomas Snodham, London 1612. [sung text checked 1 time]

Researcher for this page: Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2025-10-26
Line count: 10
Word count: 77