Album Summary: William Thomson's Orpheus Caledonius (1725) was a landmark publication; the first ever large-scale collection of "Scotch Songs" in print — 50 songs arranged with un-figured bass, most with lyrics from Allan Ramsay's Scots Songs and Tea-Table Miscellany, plus an appendix of melodic reductions. It was an instant hit and in 1733, expanded into 2 volumes with 100 songs. Indeed, Thomson's Orpheus set the standard format for Scots Song settings for the rest of the eighteenth century, including those of Robert Burns in The Scots Musical Museum. This ScotMus.com album is a faithful reprint of the song arrangements from the historic 1st edition of 1725.
|
(2)
Tho' Cloris be Coy why shou'd I repine,
That a Nymph much above me, Vouchsafes not to Love me, I ne'er in her Rank of merit can shine, Then why shou'd I seek to debase her to mine. No henceforth Esteem shall bridle desire, Nor in due Subjection, Retain warm affection, No spark of Self Love shall blaze in my Fire Then where is the Swain can more humbly admire |
(3)
While Passion shall cease to rage in my Breast,
Then quiet returning, Shall hush all my mourning, And Lord of my Self, in absolute rest, Shall hug the condition that Heav'n thinks best. Thus Friendship inmix'd and wholly refined, May yet be respected, Tho' Love is rejected, And Cloris must own tho' she still proves unkind That there's ne'er such a Friend as a Lover resign'd |
|
(4)
May ye fortunate Swain who hereafter shall sue
With prosperous endeavour, To gain her dear favour, Know as well as I, what to Cloris is due, Be still more deserving and never less true. While I disengaged from wishes and fears, Tranquillity tasting, On liberty feasting, In hopes of sure Bliss shall pass my few Years And long to escape from this vally of tears. |
(5)
Ye Powers that preside, o'er ye virtues of Love,
Now aid us with Patience, To bear its vexation, With noble designs our winged Hearts move, With Sentements purest our notions improve. If e'er my young Heart be caught in its chain, May Prudence direct me, And Courage protect me, Prepar'd for all Darts rememb'ring the Swain, That grew happily wise after loving in vain. |