dowland

Another Dowland rewrite

This one is rather… hm, some kind of concept, you know? take a listen.

Rest awhile, you cruel cares 
Be not more severe than love. 
Beauty kills and beauty spares, 
And sweet smiles sad sighs remove: 
Laura, fair queen of my delight, 
Come grant me love in love’s despite, 
And if I fail ever to honour thee, 
Let this heavenly light I see, 
Be as dark as hell to me. 

If I speak, my words want weight, 
Am I mute, my heart doth break, 
If I sigh, she fears deceit, 
Sorrow then for me must speak: 
Cruel unkind, with favour view 
The wound that first was made by you: 
And if my torments feigned be, 
Let this heavenly light I see, 
Be as dark as hell to me. 

Never hour of pleasing rest 
Shall revive my dying gost, 
Till my soul hath repossess’d 
The sweet hope which love hath lost: 
Laura redeem the soul that dies, 
By fury of thy murdering eyes: 
And if it prove unkind to thee, 
Let this heavenly light I see, 
Be as dark as hell to me.