by Thomas Carew (1595? - 1639?)
In Celia's face
Language: English
In Celia's face a question did arise: Which were more beautiful, her lips or eyes? We, said the eyes. send forth those pointed darts Which pierce the hardest adamantine hearts. From us, replied the lips, proceed those blisses Which lovers reap by kind words and sweet kisses. Then wept the eyes and from their springs did pour Of liquid oriental pearl a shower. Whereat the lips, moved with delight and pleasure, Through a sweet smile unlocked their pearly treasure; And bade Love judge whether did add more grace Weeping, or smiling pearls, to Celia's face?
Text Authorship:
- by Thomas Carew (1595? - 1639?) [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 Walter Porter (1587 - 1659), "In Celia's face", 1632. [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this page: John Versmoren
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 95