by W. H. (Wystan Hugh) Auden (1907 - 1973)
The more loving one
Language: English
Looking up at the stars, I know quite well That, for all they care, I can go to hell, But on earth indifference is the least We have to dread from man or beast. How should we like it were stars to burn With a passion for us we could not return? If equal affection cannot be, Let the more loving one be me. Admirer as I think I am Of stars that do not give a damn, I cannot, now I see them, say I missed one terribly all day. Were all stars to disappear or die, I should learn to look at an empty sky And feel its total dark sublime Though this might take me a little time.
Text Authorship:
- by W. H. (Wystan Hugh) Auden (1907 - 1973), "The more loving one" [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 Ned Rorem (1923 - 2022), "The more loving one", 1997, published 1999, from Evidence of Things Not Seen, no. 13 [sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2004-08-04
Line count: 16
Word count: 121