by Coventry (Kersey Dighton) Patmore (1823 - 1896)
The azalea
Language: English
There, where the sun shines first Against our room, She train'd the gold Azalea, whose perfume She, Spring-like, from her breathing grace dispersed. Last night the delicate crests of saffron bloom, For this their dainty likeness watch'd and nurst, Were just at point to burst. At dawn I dream'd, O God, that she was dead, And groan'd aloud upon my wretched bed, And waked, ah, God, and did not waken her, But lay, with eyes still closed, Perfectly bless'd in the delicious sphere By which I knew so well that she was near, My heart to speechless thankfulness composed. Till 'gan to stir A dizzy somewhat in my troubled head -- It was the azalea's breath, and she was dead! The warm night had the lingering buds disclosed, And I had fall'n asleep with to my breast A chance-found letter press'd In which she said, So, till to-morrow eve, my Own, adieu! Parting's well-paid with soon again to meet, Soon in your arms to feel so small and sweet, Sweet to myself that am so sweet to you!"
Authorship:
- by Coventry (Kersey Dighton) Patmore (1823 - 1896), "The azalea", appears in The Unknown Eros I-XLVI, first published 1878 [author's text checked 1 time 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 John H. Ashton (b. 1938), "The azalea", 1973, first performed 1973 [ baritone, SSA chorus, flute, alto saxophone, trumpet, horn, and piano ], from Songs from "The Unknown Eros" [sung text not yet checked]
- by Darius Milhaud (1892 - 1974), "The Azalea", op. 31 no. 1 (1915), published 1931 [ voice and piano ], from Two Poems by Coventry Patmore, no. 1, also set in French (Français) [sung text not yet checked]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in French (Français), a translation by Paul Claudel (1868 - 1955) ; composed by Darius Milhaud.
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-09-11
Line count: 25
Word count: 177