Corydon and Miranda 2/3

Corydon and Miranda - William Boyce
A Pastoral Interlude from Clive's "The Rehearsal" (1750)
Libretto by 'A Gentleman of Bath'

Recitative:

Miranda -

But see, he comes - I'll wear a short disguise;
Be false my tongue, be hypocrites my eyes;
Nor to the youth too wantonly impart
The secret history of a faithful heart.

[Enter Corydon]

What! from Marcella come? - insulting swain!
Come you to wake and triumph in my pain,
Warm from those lips, whose cruel sentence gave
Thy friend Philander an untimely grave?

Corydon -

Marcella - name not the capricious fair!
One smile from thee is worth possession there.

Miranda -

Did I not hear her in yon hawthorn bower
With transport boast o'er Corydon her power.

Air:

Corydon -

In vain, Miranda, you complain,
And charge the guiltless boy in vain,
Who ne'er has proved untrue.

Thou sweetest image thought can find,
Thou best idea of my mind,
My soul is filled with you.

Let but those eyes benignly bright
That look the language of delight,
This spacious globe review.

If they can spy an equal fair,
Be jealous then - and I'll take care
You shall have reason too.

Recitative:

Miranda -

Well, would you ease my breast and peace restore,
Oh never see the vain Marcella more!

Corydon -

Soft! she approaches; seek yon poplar glade
And wait beneath the thick embowering shade.
Yourself shall be a witness to my truth.

[Exit Miranda; enter Marcella]

Marcella -

Ah Corydon, ah cruel charming youth!
Look not so stern: I have no hopes to blast;
My love is come in sighs to breath its last.

Air:

Marcella -

The silver rain, the pearly dew,
The gales that sweep along the mead,
The softened rocks have sorrow new,
And marbles have found tears to shed.
The sighing trees in every grove
Have pity if thou hast not love.

Shall things inanimate be kind,
And every soft sensation know?
The weeping rain and sighing wind;
All but thee some mercy show.
Ah pity, if you scorn to approve,
Have pity if thou hast not love.

Miranda: Phillipa Hyde
Marcella: Julia Gooding
Corydon: Joseph Cornwell

Peter Holman
Opera Restor'd

Category:

Music

Tags:

• William
• Boyce
• Baroque
• Opera
• Corydon
• Miranda
• Marcella
• Air
• Aria
• Julia
• Gooding