Benjamin Britten -
The English Song Series, Volume 7: Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo / The Holy Sonnets of John Donne / Winter Words
The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, op. 35: Sonnet XIII: What if this present
What if this present were the world's last night?
Marke in my heart, O Soule, where thou dost dwell,
The picture of Christ crucified, and tell
Whether that countenance can thee affright,
Teares in his eyes quench the amazing light,
Blood fills his frownes, which from his pierc'd head fell.
And can that tongue adjudge thee into hell,
Which pray'd forgivenesse for his foes fierce spight?
No, no; but as in my Idolatrie
I said to all my profane mistresses,
Beauty, of pity, foulenesse onely is
A sign of rigour: so I say to thee,
To wicked spirits are horrid shapes assign'd,
This beauteous forme assures a piteous minde.
Marke in my heart, O Soule, where thou dost dwell,
The picture of Christ crucified, and tell
Whether that countenance can thee affright,
Teares in his eyes quench the amazing light,
Blood fills his frownes, which from his pierc'd head fell.
And can that tongue adjudge thee into hell,
Which pray'd forgivenesse for his foes fierce spight?
No, no; but as in my Idolatrie
I said to all my profane mistresses,
Beauty, of pity, foulenesse onely is
A sign of rigour: so I say to thee,
To wicked spirits are horrid shapes assign'd,
This beauteous forme assures a piteous minde.
Credits
Writer(s): Benjamin Britten
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Link
Other Album Tracks
- The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, op. 35: Sonnet VI: Oh my blacke Soule!
- The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, op. 35: Sonnet XIV: Batter my heart
- The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, op. 35: Sonnet III: O might those sighes and teares
- The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, op. 35: Sonnet XIX: Oh, to vex me
- The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, op. 35: Sonnet XIII: What if this present
- The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, op. 35: Sonnet XVII: Since she whom I lov'd
- The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, op. 35: Sonnet VII: At the round earth's imagin'd corners
- The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, op. 35: Sonnet I: Thou hast made me
- The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, op. 35: Sonnet X: Death, be not proud
- Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, op. 22: Sonetto XVI: Si come nella penna e nell'inchiostro
Altri album
- Britten: His Music
- Truls Mørk Plays Benjamin Britten
- Benjamin Britten: Essential Works
- Into the Light
- Britten: War Requiem – Gianandrea Noseda, London Symphony Orchestra
- Sacred and Profane
- Britten: String Quartet No. 3, Op. 94
- ROCO in Concert: Roco Celebrates Asia
- Homunculus
- Fishing Song (Friday Afternoons) Unison - Benjamin Britten
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