by William Smyth (1765 - 1849)
The cottage maid
Language: English
I envy not the splendour fine That glitters in Sir Watkyn's hall; I ask not for the gems that shine Om lady fair at Wintley ball: I wish but for a ribbon gay, Which I might on a Sunday wear; Unseen which I might kiss, and say, 'Twas Owen's gift from Wrexham fair. O Owen, I believe thee kind, And love is surely on thy tongue ... But would that I could read thy mind, For hope betrays the maiden young. Last night I saw thee loth to part, I watch'd thy looks - so bright the moon - And know not but my simple heart Might own too much, or own too soon. Unhappy fate, oh doubtful maid! Her tears may fall, her bosom swell. But even to the desert shade She never must her secret tell. And is it Love, - his softer mien? And is it Love, - his whisper low? And does he much, or nothing mean? Ah! She that loves, how can she know! With Owen I the dance have led, And then I thought that sure he seem'd To dance with lighter, livelier tread ... Oh! Was it so, - or have I dream'd? Today he goes with merry glee, And all are going to the fair ... O may I by some ribbon see He thought of one that was not there.
Authorship:
- by William Smyth (1765 - 1849) [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827), "The cottage maid", WoO. 155 (26 Walisische Lieder) no. 3 (1809-10) [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- GER German (Deutsch) (Georg Pertz) , "Das Hirtenmädchen"
Researcher for this page: Ferdinando Albeggiani
This text was added to the website: 2006-01-11
Line count: 32
Word count: 229