Spring's dewy hand (John Wall Callcott)
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- (Posted 2021-02-08) CPDL #62760:
- Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2021-02-08). Score information: A4, 5 pages, 276 kB Copyright: Personal
- Edition notes: Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download.
General Information
Title: Spring's dewy hand
Composer: John Wall Callcott
Lyricist: Charlotte Turner Smith
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Glee
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
First published: 1790
Description:
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
SONNET XXXI. Written on Farm Wood, South Downs, May, 1784.
Spring's dewy hand on this fair summit weaves
The downy grass, with tufts of Alpine flow'rs,
And shades the beechen slopes with tender leaves,
And leads the shepherd to his upland bow'rs,
Strewn with wild thyme; while slow descending show'rs,
Feed the green ear, and nurse the future sheaves!
Ah! blest the hind, whom no sad thought bereaves
Of the gay Season's pleasures! All his hours
To wholesome labour giv'n, or thoughtless mirth;
No pangs of sorrow past, or coming dread,
Bend his unconscious spirit down to earth,
Or chase calm slumbers from his careless head!
Ah! What to me can those dear days restore,
When scenes could charm, that now I taste no more!