by Matthew Gregory Lewis (1775 - 1818)
Stay, fair maid! On every feature
Language: English
"Stay, fair maid! On every feature, Why are marks of dread imprest? Can a wretched, helpless creature Raise such terrors in your breast? Do my frantic looks alarm you? Trust me, sweet, your fears are vain: Not for kingdoms would I harm you -- Shun not then poor Crazy Jane. "Dost thou weep to see my anguish? Mark me, and escape my woe: When men flatter, sigh, and languish, Think them false -- I found them so! For I loved, Oh! so sincerely, None will ever love again; Yet the man I prized most dearly Broke the heart of Crazy Jane. "Gladly that young heart received him, Which has never loved but one; He seemed true, and I believed him -- He was false, and I undone! Since that hour has reason never Held her empire o'er my brain. Henry fled! -- With him, for ever, Fled the wits of Crazy Jane. "Now forlorn and broken-hearted, Still with frenzied thoughts beset, Near the spot where last we parted, Near the spot where first we met, Thus I chant my lovelorn ditty, While I sadly pace the plain; And each passer by, in pity, Cries 'God help thee, Crazy Jane!'"
About the headline (FAQ)
Authorship:
- by Matthew Gregory Lewis (1775 - 1818), "Crazy Jane" [author's text checked 1 time 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):
- possibly by Harriet Abrams (1760 - 1825), "Crazy Jane : a favorite ballad", published 1815? [ voice and piano ], London : Rt. Birchall [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this page: Ferdinando Albeggiani
This text was added to the website: 2009-11-02
Line count: 32
Word count: 195