Three Madrigals

AUDIO
THERE IS A LADY SWEET AND KIND
THE SILVER SWAN
LOVE ME NOT FOR COMELY GRACE

Program Note
These songs use three well known poems from the Renaissance.  The first and third songs are light and humorous. The Silver Swan is one of the most famous poems from that time period.

THERE IS A LADY SWEET AND KIND
Thomas Ford (1580-1684)

There is a Lady sweet and kind,
Was never face so pleased my mind;
I did but see her passing by,
And yet I’ll love her till I die.

Her gesture, motion and her smiles,
Her wit, her voice, my heart beguiles;
Beguiles my heart, I know not why,
And yet I’ll love her till I die.

Her free behavior, winning looks,
Will make a Lawyer burn his books;
I touched her not, alas! not I,
And yet I’ll love her till I die.

Cupid has wings and he does range;
So if her land my love does change;
But change she earth or change she sky,
And yet I’ll love her till I die.

THE SILVER SWAN
Anonymous

The silver swan, who living had no note,
When death approached, unlocked her silent throat;
Leaning her breast against the reedy shore,
Thus sung her first and last, and sung no more:
“Farewell, all joys; Oh death, come close mine eyes;
More geese than swans now live, more fools than wise.”

LOVE ME NOT FOR COMELY GRACE
John Wilbye (1574-1638)

Love not me for comely grace,
for my pleasing eye or face,
nor for any outward part,
no, nor for my constant heart:
for those may fail, or turn to ill,
so thou and I shall sever.
Keep therefore a true woman’s eye,
and love me still, but know not why:
so hast thou the same reason still
to dote upon me ever.