Dost thou idly ask? (Henry Thomas Smart)
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- Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2023-12-08). Score information: Letter, 8 pages, 485 kB Copyright: Personal
- Edition notes:
- Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2019-08-04). Score information: A4, 6 pages, 104 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes:
General Information
Title: Dost thou idly ask?
Composer: Henry Thomas Smart
Lyricist: William Cullen Bryant
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong
Language: English
Instruments: a cappella or Keyboard
First published: 1872 in Novello's Part-Song Book (2nd series), Vol. 5, no. 169
Description:
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
Dost thou idly ask to hear
At what gentle seasons
Nymphs relent when lovers near
Press the tenderest reasons?
Ah! they give their faith too oft
To the careless wooer;
Maidens' hearts are always soft,
Would that men's were truer!
Woo the fair one, when around
Early birds are singing;
When o'er all the fragrant ground
Early herbs are springing:
When the brookside bank and grove,
All with blossoms laden,
Shine with beauty, Breathe of love,
Woo the timid maiden.
Woo her when the north winds call,
At the lattice nightly;
When, within the cheerful hall,
Blaze the faggots brightly
While the wintry tempest round
Sweeps the landscape hoary,
Sweeter in her ear shall sound
Love's delightful story.