Forgive, thou fairest of thy kind (Elizabeth Turner)

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• (Posted 2024-03-06)  CPDL #79404: 

Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2024-03-06).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 336 kB   Copyright: CC BY SA

Edition notes: Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download.

General Information

Title: Forgive, thou fairest of thy kind
Composer: Elizabeth Turner
Lyricist: Joseph Thurston^{create page}
Number of voices: 1v   Voicing: solo high
Genre: Secular, Aria

Language: English
Instruments: Basso continuo,violin

First published: 1756
Description: 

Original text and translations

English text

Forgive, thou fairest of thy kind,
Forgive the wretched swain;
Who, while thy charms distract his mind,
Presumes to tell his pain.
While other beauties I rever'd,
Amusement 'twas to me;
For still some kind defect appear'd,
And I again was free.

With wonder Sylvia's eyes I view'd,
But felt not long the smart;
But when I found the sullen prude,
I soon recall'd my heart.
I bless'd her voice, when Sappho sung;
Can only music kill?
Pastora's beauty pleaded strong,
But wit was wanting still.

Thou, Celia, only art design'd
To keep a lover true;
Thy ev'ry charm of face and mind
Must ev'ry heart subdue.
To some a beauteous form is giv'n;
To thers wit or air;
But thou (Oh why so partial heav'n!),
Dost all together share.