Like hermit poor

Like hermit poor in pensive place obscure,
I mean to spend my days of endless doubt,
To wail such woes as time cannot recure,
Where none but love shall ever find me out;
  And at my gates despair shall linger still,
  To let in death when love and fortune will.

A gown of grey my body shall attire,
My staff of broken hope whereon I'll stay,
Of late repentance link'd with long despair,
The couch is fram'd whereon my limbs I'll lay;
  And at my gates despair shall linger still,
  To let in death when love and fortune will.

My food shall be of care and sorrow made,
My drink nought else but tears fall'n from mine eyes,
And for my light in this obscure shade,
The flame may serve, which from my heart arise;
  And at my gates despair shall linger still,
  To let in death when love and fortune will.

Authorship

possibly by Sir Walter Raleigh (1552?-1618) , title unknown, from Brittons' Bowre of Delight, published 1591

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)

by Nicholas Lanier (1588-1666) , "Like hermit poor", published 1652.

Text added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

Notes about green, red, and white dots

Gentle Reminder

This project, begun in 1995, receives no public funding. If you found the information here useful, please consider making a donation. Your gift is greatly appreciated!      - Emily Ezust I also have a wishlist at Amazon.ca.

Browse imslp.org (Petrucci Music Library) for art songs or choral works

Classical Vocal Repertoire