Court Odes: Is it a dream that thus deserves our sight


 Selected item (#5035) = Is it a dream that thus deserves our sight
 Attributes of this item 
incipit (first line(s), normalized): Is it a dream that thus deserves our sight
version (if more than one exists):
the item's genre (general): ode
the item's genre (specific): New Year’s Day
the institution/place or purpose 
for which the work was first destined:
English court
the work's year (or focal date, if known): 1687
author of the text: [poet unknown]
composer of the music: John Blow
Number of texts stored: 1  
  • Selected text (below): #317 / Source: GB-Lcm, MS 1097, ff. 151-68
    special title: ‘A New Years Song’
 Selected text (#317) / Source: GB-Lcm, MS 1097, ff. 151-68  
 Attributes of the selected text 
source for this text
(short title, or library & shelfmark):
GB-Lcm, MS 1097
location in the source?
(i.e. which vol., pp. or fols):
ff. 151-68
type of source: MS, music and words
the source online (if available): open link
modern edition of this text:
special title (if any): A New Years Song
version (if more than one exists):
about this transcription: Transcribed by Estelle Murphy, July 2023. Line-initial capitalisation editorial.
Transcription:          
   File options:

[CT & B Duet]
Is it a dreame that thus deceives our sight
Some bright delusion of the night
Cho: [violins]
Is it a dreame that thus deceives our sight
Some bright delusion of the night

[B solo, 2 violins]
Or does this new year’s sun strive to outdo
What all its predecessors ere could show
Cho:
Tis so
Ritor

[T solo]
And all this radiant majesty
Our happy eyes have leave to see
Should it with stronger rays appear
The rapturous scene no mortal eye could bear

[CT solo]
Behold the glories of a mighty throne Split C-time
Behold how prodigally are they shower’d down
On him that wears th’imperial crown
Ritor

[B solo]
Others put on but borrow’d beams
to adorn their meaner diadems
2 voc: [CT & B]
Others put on but borrow’d beams
to adorn their meaner diadems
Ritor

[CT, T, B trio]
He like the lamp of heaven
For universal blessing giv’n
Shines with a native lusture of his own
Whence streams of light and heat do flow
On us obscure poor mortals here below

[T solo]
What wondrous things has he not done
What suffrings unaltered undergone
Dangers by land, horrours by sea
Stood gazing at his constancy
Ritor

Cho:
Ye fabulous records of yore
Amongst your Deities heretofore
In which of all your Heroes shall we find
A more stupendous gallantry of mind.

vers [B solo]
Armes he delights in, Armes does he love
In thunder and lightning he imitates Jove
And all the little gyants can throw down (down down)
the lightning of a smile or the thunder of a frown
Hold feeble song thou art too much apprest
Lett drums and trumpets [...]
Cho: [Violins]
Lett drums and trumpets speak the rest
And leave posterity his worth to guesse come
For all our weak attempts can only make him lesse
Ritor

Slow [CT solo]
Now from the warlike to the fair
Turn gently turn transported song
To the sweet turn, turn
From the strong turn, turn and dispaire
Ritor

Vers 2 voc. Quick [CT & B duet]
From our great monarch’s glorious arms
To his queen’s majestic charms
Whose matchless beauties overcome
Ages past, ages to come
[CT, T, B trio]
But silence is allow’d even by the blest
Where wonders swallows up
What cannot be express

Cho:
Long live thrice happy paire
Heaven’s everlasting tender care
May the new years as they come rouling on
Add new and brighter jewels to your crown
And every moment of your lives improve
In mighty triumph and immortal love
Doc: Bl[ow]
Anno.
Domm:
168[7]


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