Soft, Cupid, soft (Robert Jones)

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Music files

• CPDL #11338:  

Editor: robd (added 2006-03-27).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 65 kbytes   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Original note values and barring. Lute part in modern score notation, but otherwise unchanged. Spelling modernised.

General Information

Title: Soft, Cupid, soft
Composer: Robert Jones

Number of voices: 1vv Voicing: S
Genre: Secular, Madrigals
Language: English
Instruments: Lute, bass viol
Published: The Muses Gardin for Delights (1610)

Description: The lute parts of A Musicall Dreame and The Muses Gardin for Delights are, in places, crude and dissonant. It has been suggested that, in these cases, Jones is only responsible for the melody and bass lines, but there is little external evidence to support this.

External websites: Texts of five of Jones' publications, including 'The Muses Gardin for Delights', with some midi files (copyright)

Original text and translations

English text

Original spelling, modern orthography

1. Soft Cupid soft, There is no haste,

For all unkindnesse gone and past.

Since thou wilt needs forsake me so,

let us parte friends, before thou goe.

2. Still shalt thou have my heart to use,

When I cannot otherwise chuse,

My life thou mayst command Saunce doubt,

Command I say and goe with out.

3. And if that I doe ever prove,

False and unkind to gentle Love,

Ile not desire to live a day,

Nor any longer then I may.

4. Ile dayly blesse the little God,

But not without a smarting rod,

Wilt thou still unkindly leave mee,

Now I pray God all ill goe with thee.