by William Cockburne, Rev. Sir (1773 - 1858)
Address to death
Language: English
Come, welcome death! and to this troubled heart thy calm oblivions peace at length impart. From thy loath'd presence startled nature flies, yet art thou grateful to my care-worn eyes. Religion decks thee in a robe so bright, and sorrow paints thee lovely to the sight. Come then in pity, grant thy sad relief to one whom life o'erwhelms with agonizing grief. See where with wreaths of laurel crown'd Britannia rules on Afric ground! Still on her cheeks some tears remain like blushing roses pearl'd with rain. By thee fell death! Her fav'rite son was from her arms for ever torn, altho' the field was nobly won, the victors had most cause to mourn. Mark where the fair Matilda stands and madly clasps her lily hands. How weep those eyes of heav'nly blue like violets dropping morning dew! By thee, remorseless as thou art, is caused the anguish of the fair; thy spear has pierced her Henry's heart and fraught her bosom with despair. Cease, tyrant, cease, thus envious to destroy the lover's transports and the victor's joy! In kindness rather turn thine haggard eye on one who only supplicates to die. No tears sweet incense shall bedew my tomb, my woes unpitied, and unmourn'd my doom. Strike then in mercy, bid my sorrows end and be the friend of her who has no other friend.
Authorship:
- by William Cockburne, Rev. Sir (1773 - 1858) [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 Harriet Abrams (1760 - 1825), "Address to death", published 1803 [ voice and piano ], London : Lavenu & Mitchell [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this page: Johann Winkler
This text was added to the website: 2023-10-06
Line count: 32
Word count: 226