by Robert Browning (1812 - 1889)
To‑morrow, if a harp‑string, say
Language: English
To-morrow, if a harp-string, say, Is used to tie the jasmine back That overfloods my room with sweets, Contrive your Zorzi somehow meets My Zanze! If the ribbon's black, The Three are watching: keep away! Your gondola -- let Zorzi wreathe A mesh of water weeds about Its prow, as if he unaware Had struck some quay or bridge-foot stair! That I may throw a paper out As you and he go underneath. There's Zanze's vigilant taper; safe are we. Only one minute more to-night with me? Resume your past self of a month ago! Be you the bashful gallant, I will be The lady with the colder breast than snow. Now bow you, as becomes, nor touch my hand More than I touch yours when I step to land, And say, "All thanks, Siora!" -- Heart to heart And lips to lips! Yet once more, ere we part, Clasp me and make me thine, as mine thou art!
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Text Authorship:
- by Robert Browning (1812 - 1889), no title, appears in Bells and Pomegranates, first published 1842 [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 Alice Barnett (1886 - 1975), "Tomorrow, if a harp-string, say", published 1920 [high voice and piano], from In a gondola, no. 7. [text not verified]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-07-02
Line count: 23
Word count: 158