by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
Humour, say what mak'st thou here
Language: English
1st Voice: Humour, say what mak'st thou here In the presence of a queen? 2nd Voice: Princes hold conceit most dear, All conceit in humour seen. 1st Voice: Thou art a heavy laden mood. 2nd Voice: Humour is Invention's food. Chorus: But never humour yet was true, But that which only pleaseth you. 1st Voice: O I am as heavy as earth, Say then, who is Humour now? 2nd Voice: I am now inclined to mirth, Humour I as well as thou. 1st Voice: Why then 'tis I am drowned in woe. 2nd Voice: No, no. Wit is cherished so. Chorus: But never humour yet was true, But that which only pleaseth you. 1st Voice: Mirth then is drowned in sorrow's brim. O in sorrow all things sleep. 2nd Voice: No, no, fool, the light'st things swim. Heavy things sink to the deep. 1st Voice: In her presence all things smile. 2nd Voice: Humour frolic then awhile. Chorus: But never humour yet was true, But that which only pleaseth you.
Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author [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 John Dowland (1562 - 1626), "Humour, say what mak'st thou here", subtitle: "A Dialogue" [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 39
Word count: 170