Whilst from our looks (William Jackson of Exeter)

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  • (Posted 2022-04-01)  CPDL #68672:  Network.png
Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2022-04-01).   Score information: A4, 5 pages, 429 kB   Copyright: CC BY SA
Edition notes: Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download.

General Information

Title: Whilst from our looks
Composer: William Jackson of Exeter
Lyricist: Matthew Prior
Number of voices: 3vv   Voicing: ATB
Genre: SecularGlee

Language: English
Instruments: Basso continuo

First published: 1762 Elegies Op. 3
Description: In his frontispiece, Jackson specified performance in the following terms: "I would just observe, that the following pieces will lose their effect, when the parts are doubled. The manner of performance that I would recommend, is by three voices singing moderately soft, and accompanied with any bass instrument that may have the effect of an accompaniment only; for nothing hurts a piece so much, as making a part principal, or even equal with others, when it was intended to be subservient. The equality of strength among the voices should also be observed; if one voice of the three be strong, and the others weak, it is necessary to soften it down, that the balance may not be destroyed; for it should always be remembered, that as no principal part was intended, there must be none produced".

External websites:

Original text and translations

English.png English text

Whilst from our looks, fair nymph, you guess
The secret passions of our mind;
My heavy eyes, you say, confess
A heart to love and grief inclin'd.

There needs, alas, but little art,
To have this fatal secret known;
With the same ease you threw the dart,
'Tis certain you can shew the wound.

How can I see you, and not love,
While you as op'ning east are fair?
While cold as northern blasts you prove,
How can I love, and not despair?

The wretch in double fetters bound
Your potent mercy may release:
Soon, if my love but once were crown'd,
Fair Isabel, my grief would cease.