possibly by Christopher Hatton, Sir (1581 - 1619)

Fair Ladies that to Love captived are
Language: English 
Fair Ladies that to Love captived are, 
And chaste desires do nourish in your mind, 
Let not her fault your sweet affections mar, 
Ne blot the bounty of all Woman-kind. 

‘Mongst thousands good, one wanton Dame to find, 
Amongst the Roses grow some wicked weeds, 
For this was not to love but lust inclined,
For love doth always bring forth, bounteous deeds.
And in each gentle heart desire of Honour breeds.

Text Authorship:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

  • by Orlando Gibbons (1583 - 1625), "Fair Ladies that to Love captived are", published 1612 [ sattb chorus ], from First Set of Madrigals, no. 10-11, Verified with The First Sett of Madrigals and Mottets of 5. parts: apt for Viols and Voyces by Orlando Gibbons, Thomas Snodham, London 1612. [sung text checked 1 time]

Researcher for this page: Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2025-10-26
Line count: 9
Word count: 71