Rhapsody (Traherne, set by G. Finzi) (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


Will you see the infancy of this sublime and celestial greatness?  I
was a stranger, which at my entrance into the world was saluted and
surrounded with innumerable joys: my knowledge was divine. I was
entertained like an angel with the works of God in their splendour and
glory. Heaven and Earth did sing my Creators praises, and could not
make more melody to Adam than to me. Certainly Adam in Paradise had
not more sweet and curious apprehensions of the world than I. All
appeared new, and strange at first, inexpressibly rare and delightful
and beautiful. All things were spotless and pure and glorious.

The corn was orient and immortal wheat, which never should be reaped
nor was ever sown. I thought it had stood from everlasting to
everlasting. The green trees, when I saw them first, transported and
ravished me, their sweetness and unusual beauty made my heart to leap,
and almost mad with ecstasy, they were such strange and wonderful
things.

O what venerable creatures did the aged seem!  Immortal cherubims!
and the young men glittering and sparkling angels, and maids strange
seraphic pieces of life and beauty! I knew not that they were born or
should die ; but all things abided eternally. I knew not that there
were sins or complaints or laws. I dreamed not of poverties,
contentions or vices. All tears and quarrels were hidden from mine
eyes. I saw all in the peace of Eden. Everything was at rest, free
and immortal.

Input by Anne Ozorio

Authorship

Thomas Traherne (1637?-1674)

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

Gerald Finzi (1901-1956)

Dies Natalis

Added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

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