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:
MIDI and NoteWorthy Composer 2.
- Editor: Brian Russell (submitted 2008-05-07). Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: Files listed alphabetically by nationality and composer. Some composers have separate pages available from their country of origin page.
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: 1603
Description: No. VI from The Third and Last Booke of Songs or Aires (1603)
External websites:
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.