Fie on this feigning (Anonymous, set by J. Dowland) (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


Fie on this feigning
is love without desire,
Heat still remaining
and yet no spark of fire?
Thou art untrue, nor wert with fancy movèd,
for Desire hath pow'r on all that ever lovèd.

Show some relenting,
or grant thou dost now love,
two hearts consenting
shall they no comforts prove?
Yield, or confess that love is without plaesure,
and that women's bounties rob men of their treasure.

Truth is not placèd
in words and forcèd smiles,
Love is not gracèd 
with that which still beguiles.
Love or dislike, yield fire, or give no fuel,
so may'st thou prove kind, or at the least less cruel.

Input by Peter Donderwinkel

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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