Rest a while you cruel cares (John Dowland)
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- Editor: Brian Russell (submitted 2006-11-17). Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: Listed alphabetically by language/nationality and composer.
- Editor: Chandra Maeder (submitted 2004-10-30). Score information: Letter, 2 pages, 65 kbytes Copyright: Personal
- Edition notes: Previously hosted on external site. Uploaded to CPDL server 2007-11-23.
- Editor: Ulrich Alpers (submitted 2003-08-18). Score information: A4 Copyright: Personal
- Edition notes:
- Editor: Laura Conrad (submitted 2001-07-17). Copyright: GnuGPL
- Edition notes: in partbook format
General Information
Title: Rest a while you cruel cares
Composer: John Dowland
Lyricist: Anonymous
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Lute song
Language: English
Instruments: Lute
Published: The First Booke of Songs or Ayres (1597), no.12
Description:
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
Rest awhile, you cruel cares,
Be not more severe than love.
Beauty kills and beauty spares,
And sweet smiles sad sighs remove.
Laura, fair queen of my delight,
Come grant me love in love's despite,
And if I ever fail to honour thee,
Let this heav'nly light I see
Be as dark as hell to me.
If I speak, my words want weight,
Am I mute, my heart doth break,
If I sigh, she fears deceit,
Sorrow then for me must speak.
Cruel unkind, with favour view
The wound that first was made by you,
And if my torments feigned be,
Let this heav'nly light I see
Be as dark as hell to me.
Never hour of pleasing rest
Shall revive my dying ghost,
Till my soul hath repossessed
The sweet hope which love hath lost.
Laura, redeem the soul that dies
By fury of thy murd'ring eyes,
And if it proves unkind to thee,
Let this heav'nly light I see
Be as dark as hell to me.