Drink to me only with thine eyes (Elizabeth Turner)

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CPDL #33096:    Sibelius 5 

Editor: Jonathan Goodliffe (submitted 2014-10-07).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 36 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: The flute part in D major has not been reproduced as the flute was a transposing instrument in the 18th Century, whereas now the flute need only follow the left hand staff of the harpsichord part.

General Information

Title: Drink to me only with thine eyes
Composer: Elizabeth Turner
Lyricist: Ben Jonson

Number of voices: 1v   Voicing: Solo Soprano

Number of voices: 1v   Voicing: Tenor solo

Genre: Secular, Aria

Language: English
Instruments: Harpsichord

Instruments: Flute

Published: 1756

Description: An elegant setting of Jonson's poem with an entirely different melody from that used in the later setting by Callcott.

External websites:

Original text and translations

English text

1. Drink to me only with thine eyes,
     And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss within the cup
     And I'll not ask for wine.
The thirst that from the soul doth rise
     Doth ask a drink divine;
But might I of Jove's nectar sup,
     I would not change for thine.

2. I sent thee late a rosy wreath,
     Not so much honouring thee
As giving it a hope that there
     It could not wither'd be;
But thou thereon didst only breathe,
     And sent'st it back to me;
Since when it grows, and smells, I swear,
     Not of itself but thee!