In Celia's face (Carew, set by W. Porter) (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


In Celia's face a question did arise:
Which were more beautiful, her lips or eyes?
We, said the eyes. send forth those pointed darts
Which pierce the hardest adamantine hearts.
From us, replied the lips, proceed those blisses
Which lovers reap by kind words and sweet kisses.

Then wept the eyes and from their springs did pour
Of liquid oriental pearl a shower.
Whereat the lips, moved with delight and pleasure,
Through a sweet smile unlocked their pearly treasure;
And bade Love judge whether did add more grace
Weeping, or smiling pearls, to Celia's face?

Input by John Versmoren

Authorship

Thomas Carew (1595?-1639?)

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

Walter Porter (1587-1659)

Added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

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