The world, my dear Myra (James Oswald)
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(Posted 2023-09-12) CPDL #75340:
- Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2023-09-12). Score information: A4, 3 pages, 328 kB Copyright: CC BY SA
- Edition notes: Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download.
General Information
Title: The world, my dear Myra
Composer: James Oswald
Lyricist: Alexander Pope
Number of voices: 1v Voicing: solo high
Genre: Secular, Aria
Language: English
Instruments: Basso continuo, Violin
First published: 1758
Description: Titled Friendship. Written for performance at Ranelagh pleasure gardens and sung by Catherine (Kitty) Fourmantel.
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
The world, my dear Myra, is full of deceit,
And friendship's a jewel we seldom can meet;
How strange does it seem that, in searching around,
This source of content is so rare to be found?
O friendship, thou balm and rich sweet'ner of life,
Kind parent of ease and composer of strife,
Without thee, alas, what are riches and pow'r,
But empty delusions, the joys of an hour?
How much to be priz'd and esteemed is a friend,
On whom we can always with safety depend;
Our joys when extended will always increase,
And griefs when divided are hushed into peace.
When fortune is smiling, what crowds will appear,
Their kindness to offer, and friendship sincere;
Yet change but the prospect and point out distress,
No longer to court you they eagerly press.