Songs

Who is Silvia?

by Roger Quilter From Four Shakespeare Songs (1933) Op. 30

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

Text

Who is Silvia?
English source: William Shakespeare

Who is Silvia? what is she,
That all our swains commend her?
Holy, fair, and wise is she,
The heavens such grace did lend her,
That she might admired be.

Is she kind as she is fair?
For beauty lives with kindness:
Love doth to her eyes repair,
To help him of his blindness;
And, being helped, inhabits there.

Then to Silvia, let us sing,
That Silvia is excelling;
She excels each mortal thing
Upon the dull earth dwelling.
To her let us garlands bring.


from _The Two Gentlemen of Verona_ IV.ii

Composer

Roger Quilter

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

Poet

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet, and the "Bard of Avon". His extant…

Help us with a Donation

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

Make a Donation

Select Tickets