When Phœbus first did Daphne love (John Dowland)

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• CPDL #19110:     

Editor: David Fraser (submitted 2009-03-25).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 99 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: SATB plus lute tablature (6-course, tenor G tuning)

• CPDL #16836:      

Editor: Brian Russell (submitted 2008-05-07).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 17 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: NoteWorthy Composer file may be viewed and printed with NoteWorthy Composer Viewer.

General Information

Title: When Phœbus first did Daphne love
Composer: John Dowland

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB

Genre: Secular, Lute song

Language: English
Instruments: Lute

{{Published}} is obsolete (code commented out), replaced with {{Pub}} for works and {{PubDatePlace}} for publications.

Description: No. VI from The Third and Last Booke of Songs or Aires (1603)

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Original text and translations

English text

When Phoebus first did Daphne love,
and no means might her favour move,
he crav'd the cause. The cause, quoth she,
is, I have vow'd virginity.
Then in a rage he sware, and said,
Past fifteen none but one should live a maid.

If maidens then shall chance be sped
ere they can scarcely dress their head,
yet pardon them, for they be loath
to make good Phoebus break his oath.
And better 'twere a child were born,
than that a god should be foresworn.

By this they get sweet mother's name,
and are not barren which were blame,
besides by this procure they can
the world a child, the prince a man.
Now Stoick tell me if in this,
that anything be done a-miss.