by Robert Seymour Bridges (1844 - 1930)
We live well‑ruled by an honoured king
Language: English
We live well-ruled by an honoured king. Beloved of the gods, in a happy isle ; Where merry winds of the gay sea bring No foe to our shore, and the heavens smile On a peaceful folk secure from fear, Who gather the fruits of the earth at will. And hymn their thinks to the gods, and rear Their laughing babes unmindful of ill. And ever we keep a feast of delight. The betrothal of hearts, when spirits unite, Creating an offspring of joy, a treasure Unknown to the bad, for whom The gods foredoom The glitter of pleasure And a dark tomb. Blessed therefore O newly betrothed are ye. The' happy to-day ye be, Your happier times ye yet shall see. We make our prayer to the gods. The sun shall prosper the seasons' yield With fuller crops for the wains to bear, And feed our flocks in fold and field With wholesome water and sweetest air. Plenty shall empty her golden horn. And grace shall dwell on the brows of youth. And love shall come as the joy of morn, To waken the eyes of pride and truth. Blessed therefore thy happy folk are we. Tho' happy to-day we be. Our happier times are yet to see. We render praise to the gods. But chiefest of all in the highest height To Love that sitteth in timeless might, That tameth evil, and sorrow ceaseth. And now we wish you again, Again and again. His joy that encreaseth. And a long reign.
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Text Authorship:
- by Robert Seymour Bridges (1844 - 1930), no title, appears in Achilles in Scyros, first published 1890 [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 Cyril Bradley Rootham (1875 - 1938), "We live well-ruled by an honoured king", published 1912 [soprano, alto, and SA chorus a cappella], from The Choruses from "Achilles in Scyros", no. 4, note: originally composed for strings and harp - not published [text not verified]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2009-01-17
Line count: 38
Word count: 253