by Thomas Campion (1567 - 1620)
Young and simple though I am
Language: English
Young and simple though I am, I have heard of Cupid's name; Guess I can what thing it is Men desire when they do kiss. Smoke can never burn they say, But the flames that follow may. I am not so fond, so fair, To be proud, or to despair; Yet my lips have oft observ'd, Men that kiss them press too hard, As glad lovers use to do, When their new met loves they woo. Fain 'tis but a foolish mind, Yet methinks a heat I find, And thirsty longing that doth bide Ever on the weaker side: O I feel my heart doth move, Venus grant it be not love. If it be, alas, what then? Were not women made for men? As good it were a thing were past, That must needs be done at last: Roses that are overblown Grow less sweet, and fall alone. Yet no churl or silken gull Shall my virgin blossom pull: Who shall not, I soon can tell, Who shall, would I could as well. Yet I'm sure what ere he be, Love he must, or flatter me.
Authorship:
- by Thomas Campion (1567 - 1620), first published 1618 [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 Thomas Campion (1567 - 1620), "Young and simple though I am", from The Third and Fourth Booke of Ayres - The Fourth Booke [text not verified]
- by Nicholas Lanier (1588 - 1666), "Young and simple though I am", published 1652. [text not verified]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 30
Word count: 188