Dry those fair, those crystal eyes
Encyclopedia
”Dry those fair, those crystal eyes” is a poem by Henry King
(1591-1669) Bishop of Chichester, set to music by the English composer Edward Elgar
in 1899.
It was published in the Souvenir of the Charing Cross Hospital
Bazaar, and its first performance was at the Royal Albert Hall
on 21 June 1899.
Henry King (poet)
-Life:The eldest son of John King, Bishop of London, and his wife Joan Freeman, he was baptised at Worminghall, Buckinghamshire, 16 January 1592. He was educated at Lord Williams's School, Westminster School and in 1608 became a student of Christ Church, Oxford...
(1591-1669) Bishop of Chichester, set to music by the English composer Edward Elgar
Edward Elgar
Sir Edward William Elgar, 1st Baronet OM, GCVO was an English composer, many of whose works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire. Among his best-known compositions are orchestral works including the Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, concertos...
in 1899.
It was published in the Souvenir of the Charing Cross Hospital
Charing Cross Hospital
Charing Cross Hospital is a general, acute hospital located in London, United Kingdom and established in 1818. It is located several miles to the west of the city centre in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham....
Bazaar, and its first performance was at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
on 21 June 1899.
Lyrics
DRY THOSE FAIR, THOSE CRYSTAL EYES- Dry those fair, those crystal eyes,
- Which, like growing fountains, rise,
- To drown their banks : grief’s sullen brooks
- Would better flow in furrow’d looks ;
- Thy lovely face was never meant
- To be the shore of discontent.
- Then clear those waterish stars again,
- Which else portend a lasting rain ;
- Lest the clouds which settle there,
- Prolong my winter all the year,
- And thy example others make
- In love with sorrow for thy sake.
Recordings
- "The Unknown Elgar" includes "Dry those fair, those crystal eyes" performed by Teresa Cahill (soprano), with Barry Collett (piano).
- Songs and Piano Music by Edward Elgar has "Dry those fair, those crystal eyes" performed by Peter Savidge (baritone), with David Owen Norris (piano).
- Elgar: Complete Songs for Voice & Piano Amanda Roocroft (soprano), Reinild Mees (piano)