by Edward Dering (1625 - 1684)
A false designe to be cruell
Language: English
In vain fair Chloris, you designe, To be cruel, to be kind; For we know with all your arts, You never hold but willing hearts; Men are too wise grown to expire With broken shafts, and painted fire. And if among a thousand Swains, Some one of Love, or Fate complains; And all the stars in heav'n defie, With Clora's lip, or Celia's eye: 'Tis not their love the Youth would chuse, But the glory to refuse. Then wisely make a prize of those Want wit, or courage to oppose; But tempt me not that can discover What will redeems the fondest lover, And flie the list, let it appear Your pow'r is measur'd by our fear. So the rude wave securely shocks, The yielding Bark, but stiff the rocks If it attempt, how soon again Broke and dissolv'd it fills the Main: It foams and roars, but we deride Alike its weakness, and its pride.
Authorship:
- by Edward Dering (1625 - 1684), first published 1655
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Mary Dering (1629 - 1704), "A false designe to be cruell", published 1655 [ voice and continuo ], from The Second Book of Ayres, and Dialogues, no. 30, Confirmed with The Second Book of Ayres and Dialogues, for One, Two, and Three, by Henry Lawes, John Playford, London 1655, Page 25. [sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this page: Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2021-12-26
Line count: 24
Word count: 156