by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
The sea hath many thousand sands
Language: English
The sea hath many thousand sands, The sun hath motes as many; The sky is full of stars, and Love As full of woes as any: Believe me, that do know the elf, And make no trial by thyself! It is in truth a pretty toy For babes to play withal: But O, the honies of our youth Are oft our age's gall: Self-proof in time will make thee know He was a prophet told thee so: A prophet that, Cassandra-like, Tells truth without belief; For headstrong Youth will run his race, Although his goal be grief: - Love's Martyr, when his heat is past, Proves Care's Confessor at the last.
About the headline (FAQ)
Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author, "Advice to a lover", first published 1610? [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 Robert Still (1910 - 1971), "The sea hath many thousand sands" [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2004-05-02
Line count: 18
Word count: 111