See, Daphne, see (Thomas Arne)
Music files
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- (Posted 2023-11-07) CPDL #77049:
- Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2023-11-07). Score information: A4, 7 pages, 707 kB Copyright: CC BY SA
- Edition notes: Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download.
- (Posted 2023-11-07) CPDL #77048:
- Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2023-11-07). Score information: A4, 4 pages, 270 kB Copyright: CC BY SA
- Edition notes: Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download. This edition includes a keyboard reduction of the original instrumental accompaniment.
General Information
Title: See, Daphne, see
Composer: Thomas Arne
Lyricist: William Shenstone
Number of voices: 1v Voicing: solo high
Genre: Secular, Aria
Language: English
Instruments: Basso continuo,Violins
First published: 1748
Description: Probably written for performance at Vauxhall.
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
"See, Daphne, see!" Florelio cried,
"And learn the sad effects of pride!
Yon shelter'd rose, how fair, conceal'd!
How quickly blasted when reveal'd!
The sun with warm attractive rays
Tempts it to wanton in the blaze;
A gale succeeds from eastern skies,
And all its blushing radiance dies."
"So you, my fair! of charms divine,
Will quit the plains, too fond to shine
Where Fame's transporting flames allure,
Tho' here more happy, more secure.
The breath of some neglected maid
Will make you sigh you left the shade;
A breath to beauty's bloom unkind,
As, to the rose, an eastern wind."
The nymph replied: "You first, my swain!
Confine your sonnets to the plain;
One envious breath alike disarms
You of your wit, me of my charms.
What is, unknown, the poet's skill?
Or what, unheard, the tuneful thrill?
What, unadmir'd, a charming mien?
Or what the rose's blush unseen?"