The fragrant lily of the vale - Oswald, James

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"An unattributed setting of this text, perhaps this one, was recorded as sung at Ranelagh."

⌛ Period → Baroque ◈ Genre → Arias ♬ Voicing → solo high ¶ Language → English

Parts 1

Instruments Basso continuo| 2 flutes obbligato

Pages 3

CPDL # 69941

Editor Christopher Shaw

Posted 2022-07-11

License Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike

¶Lyrics / Text

The fragrant lily of the vale, so elegant and fair, Whose sweets perfume each fanning gale, To Chloe I compare. What tho' on earth it lowly grows, And strives its head to find, Its sweetness far outvies the rose That flaunts with so much pride. The costly tulip owes its hue To many a gaudy stain; In this we view the virgin white Of innocence remain. See how the curious florist's hand Uprears its humble head, And to preserve the charming flow'r Transplants it to his bed. There, while it sheds its sweets around, How shines each modest grace; Enraptur'd, how its owner stands, To view its lovely face. But pray, my Chloe, now observe The inference of my tale: May I the florist be and thou The lily of my vale.