What if I never speed? (Anonymous, set by J. Dowland) (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


What if I never speed?
Shall I straight yield to despair,
And still on sorrow feed
That can no loss repair?

Or shall I change my love?
For I find pow'r to depart,
And in my reason prove
I can command my heart.

But if she will pity my desire and my love requite,
Then ever shall she live my dear delight.
Come, come, come, while I have a heart to desire thee,
Come, come, come, for either I will love or admire thee.

Oft have I dreamed of joy,
Yet I never felt the sweet,
But tired with annoy,
My griefs each other greet.

Oft have I left my hope
As a wretch by fate forlorn,
But Love aims at one scope,
And lost, will still return.

He that once loves with a true desire never can depart,
For Cupid is the king of ev'ry heart.
Come, come, come, while I have a heart to desire thee,
Come, come, come, for either I will love or admire thee.

Authorship

Anonymous/Unidentified Artist

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

John Dowland (1562-1626)

Added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

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