Why so pale and wan

General information

Lyricist: John Suckling

Notes on selected settings

• William Lawes S solo
• Charles Hubert Hastings Parry T solo

Settings by composers (automatically updated)

• William Lawes — Why so pale and wan, fond lover?  English Solo Soprano
• Charles Hubert Hastings Parry — Why so pale and wan  English Solo Tenor

Text and translations

English text

1  Why so pale and wan, fond lover? Prythee, why so pale? Will if looking well can't move her Looking ill prevail? Prythee, why so pale? 2  Why so dull and mute, young sinner? Prythee, why so mute? Will, when speaking well can't win her Saying nothing do't? Prythee, why so mute?

3  Quit, quit for shame This shall not move, This cannot take her; If of herself she will not love Nothing will make her The devil take her!