The day delayed of that I most do wish - Edwards, Richard

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"From an anonymous manuscript in the library of Christ Church, Oxford. Only the words of the first tenor part are set to the music in the manuscript. The work may be by Richard Edwards, as it is similar in style to some of his compositions and he included the poem by Vaux in his posthumous work [http://www.sourcetext.com/sourcebook/etexts/paradise/title.htm "A Paradise of Dainty Devises"]."

◈ Genre / Form Partsongs

♯ Key C minor

⁄ Time Signature 4/4

♬ Voicing → SATTB

↕ Range F2 – G5

¶ Language → English

Measures 26

Texture mixed texture

Parts 5

Instruments None, but may have been intended that the parts other than the first tenor (and possibly the soprano) should be used for accompaniment

Pages 3

CPDL # 15885

Editor Jonathan Goodliffe

Posted 2008-02-02

License CPDL License

♫Pitch Ranges

Soprano

E4 – G5

Alto

G3 – D5

Tenor

C3 – E-4

Bass

F2 – G3

¶Lyrics / Text

'''HE DESIRETH EXCHANGE OF LIFE''' By Thomas, 2nd Baron Vaux of Harrowden THE day delayed, of that I most do wish, Wherewith I feed and starve in one degree: With wish and want still seruèd in one dish, Alive as dead, by proof as you may see. To whom of old this prouerb well it serves While grass doth grow, the silly horse he starves. Tween these extremes, thus do I run the race Of my poor life, this certainly I know: Tweene would and want, unwarely that do passe, More swift than shot out of the Archer's bow. As Spider draws her line all day, I watch the net, and others have the pray. And as by proof the greedy dog doth gnaw The barèd bone, all onely for the taste: So to and fro this loathesome life I draw, With fancies forst, and fed with vaine repast. Narcissus brought unto the water brink, So aye thirst I, the more that I do drink. Lo thus I die, and yet I seem not sick, With smart unseene my self, my self I wear: With prone desire and power that is not quick, With hope aloft, now drenchèd in despair. Trainèd in trust, for no reward assigned, The more I haste, the more I come behind. With hurt to heal, in frozen ice to fry, With loss, to laugh, this is a wonderous case: Fast fetred here, is forst away to fly, As hunted Hare that Hound hath in the chase. With wings and spurs, for all the haste I make, As like to lose, as for to draw the stake. The days be long that hang upon desert, The life is irk of joys that be delayed: The time is short for to requite the smart, That doth proceed of promise long unpaid. That to the last of this my fainting breath, I wish exchange of life for happy death.