by James Joyce (1882 - 1941)
Though I thy Mithridates were
Language: English
Our translations: FRE
Though I thy Mithridates were,
Framed to defy the poison-dart,
Yet must thou fold me unaware
To know the rapture of thy heart,
And I but render and confess
The malice of thy tenderness.
For elegant and antique phrase,
Dearest, my lips wax all too wise;
Nor have I known a love whose praise
Our piping poets solemnize,
Neither a love where may not be
Ever so little falsity.
About the headline (FAQ)
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, appears in Chamber Music, no. 27, first published 1907 [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 Ross Lee Finney (1906 - 1997), "Though I thy Mithridates were", 1952, published 1985, first performed 1975 [ voice and piano ], from Chamber Music, no. 27, Henmar Press [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-12-02
Line count: 12
Word count: 69