Whilst from our looks (William Jackson of Exeter)
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- (Posted 2022-04-01) CPDL #68672:
- Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2022-04-01). Score information: A4, 5 pages, 429 kB Copyright: CC BY SA
- Edition notes: Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download.
General Information
Title: Whilst from our looks
Composer: William Jackson of Exeter
Lyricist: Matthew Prior
Number of voices: 3vv Voicing: ATB
Genre: Secular, Glee
Language: English
Instruments: Basso continuo
First published: 1762 Elegies Op. 3
Description: In his frontispiece, Jackson specified performance in the following terms: "I would just observe, that the following pieces will lose their effect, when the parts are doubled. The manner of performance that I would recommend, is by three voices singing moderately soft, and accompanied with any bass instrument that may have the effect of an accompaniment only; for nothing hurts a piece so much, as making a part principal, or even equal with others, when it was intended to be subservient. The equality of strength among the voices should also be observed; if one voice of the three be strong, and the others weak, it is necessary to soften it down, that the balance may not be destroyed; for it should always be remembered, that as no principal part was intended, there must be none produced".
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
Whilst from our looks, fair nymph, you guess
The secret passions of our mind;
My heavy eyes, you say, confess
A heart to love and grief inclin'd.
There needs, alas, but little art,
To have this fatal secret known;
With the same ease you threw the dart,
'Tis certain you can shew the wound.
How can I see you, and not love,
While you as op'ning east are fair?
While cold as northern blasts you prove,
How can I love, and not despair?
The wretch in double fetters bound
Your potent mercy may release:
Soon, if my love but once were crown'd,
Fair Isabel, my grief would cease.