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Fairest Isle

A song from the semi-opera, King Arthur, first produced in 1691. Words by the poet, John Dryden, with whom Purcell collaborated on a number of occasions. To my mind this song shows Purcell's ability to set some pretty trite words to music and create a song which is both simple and attractive.

Fairest Isle, all isles excelling,
Seat of pleasure and of love;
Venus here will choose her dwelling,
And forsake her Cyprian grove.

Cupid, from his favourite nation
Care and envy will remove.
Jealousy, that poisons passion,
And despair that dies for love.

Gentle murmurs, sweet complaining,
Sighs that blow the fire of love;
Soft repulses, kind disdaining,
Shall be all the pains you prove.

Ev'ry swain shall pay his duty,
Grateful ev'ry nymph shall prove;
And as these excel in beauty,
Those shall be renown'd for love.

A song from the semi-opera, King Arthur, first produced in 1691. Words by the poet, John Dryden, with whom Purcell collaborated on a number of occasions. To my mind this song shows Purcell's ability to set some pretty trite words to music and create a song which is both simple and attractive.

Fairest Isle, all isles excelling, Seat of pleasure and of love; Venus here will choose her dwelling, And forsake her Cyprian grove. Cupid, from his favourite nation Care and envy will remove. Jealousy, that poisons passion, And despair that dies for love. Gentle murmurs, sweet complaining, Sighs that blow the fire of love; Soft repulses, kind disdaining, Shall be all the pains you prove. Ev'ry swain shall pay his duty, Grateful ev'ry nymph shall prove; And as these excel in beauty, Those shall be renown'd for love.