Songs

By a fountainside  

by Roger Quilter From Seven Elizabethan Lyrics (1908) Op. 12

If you would like to use our texts and translations, please click here for more information.

Text

By a fountainside  
source: Ben Jonson

Slow, slow, fresh fount, keep time with my salt tears:
Yet slower, yet; O faintly, gentle springs:
List to the heavy part the music bears,
Woe weeps out her [division]2 when she sings.
Droop herbs and flowers,
Fall grief in showers,
Our beauties are not ours;
Or I could still
Like melting snow upon some craggy hill,
Drop, drop, drop, drop,
Since nature's pride is, now, a withered daffodil.

Composer

Roger Quilter

Roger Cuthbert Quilter was an English composer, known particularly for his songs.

Help us with a Donation

Enjoying our texts and translations? Help us continue to offer this service to all.

Make a Donation

Select Tickets