Nature framed thee (Congreve, set by J. Eccles) (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


Nature framed thee sure for loving,
Thus adorned with ev'ry grace;
Venus' self thy form approving
Looks with pleasure on thy face.

Happy nymph who shall enclose thee
Circled in her yielding arms!
Should bright Helen once behold thee
She'd surrender all her charms.

Fairest nymph, all nymphs transcending
That the Sun himself has seen;
Were she for the crown contending
Thou would'st own her beauty's queen.

Gentle shepherd if my pleading
can from thee the prize obtain,
Love himself thy conquest aiding,
Thou that matchless fair shall gain.

Authorship

William Congreve (1670-1729)

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

John Eccles (1668-1735)

The Judgment of Paris

Added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

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