Eyes, look no more (Anonymous, set by J. Danyel) (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


Eyes, look no more,
For what hath all the earth
That's worth the sight?
Ears, hear no more, 
For what can breathe the voice
Of true delight?
Think Glory, Honour,
Joys, Delights, Contents,
Are but the empty reports
Of [unapropried]¹ terms
That breath invents,
Not knowing what it imports.

Joys, Delights, and Pleasures
In us hold such a doubtful part,
As if they were but thrall,
And those were all in all.
For Griefs, Distrusts, Remorse,
I see must domineer the heart.

Clothe thee, my heart,
With black dark thoughts,
And think but of despair.
Silence, lock up my words,
And scorn these idle sounds of air.
But Sorrow, Grief,
Affliction and Despair,
These are the things that are sure,
And these we feel not as conceits in th' air
But as the same we endure.

Joys, Delights, and Pleasures
Make Grief to tyrannize us worse,
Our mirth brings but distastes,
For nought delights and lasts.
Grief, then, take all my heart,
For where none strive, there needs less force.

View text without footnotes
¹ meaning: unsuitable.

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 Danyel (1564-1626)

Added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

Gentle Reminder

This project is not funded. If you found the information here useful, please consider making a donation. Your gift is greatly appreciated!
- Emily

I also have a wishlist at Amazon.ca.