What shall I do

Thomas Betterton

What shall I do is een lied van de Britse componist Henry Purcell. De tekst van het lied wordt toegeschreven aan Thomas Betterton, maar vermoedelijk is die tekst gebaseerd op een eerder gedicht van John Fletcher. Het lied bezingt de onbereikbare - en in essentie hoofse - liefde. Het lied is - evenals Purcells I attempt from love's sickness to fly, uit zijn opera The Indian Queen, een geliefd nummer bij audities en examenuitvoeringen.

Tekst

What shall I do to show how much I love her?

How many millions of sighs can suffice?

That which wins other's hearts, never can move her,

Those common methods of love she'll despise.

I will love more than man e'er lov'd before me;

Gaze on her all the day, and melt all the night;

'Till for her own sake, at last she'll implore me,

To love her less, to preserve our delight.

Since gods themselves could not ever be loving,

Men must have breathing recruits for new joys;

I wish my love could be ever improving,

Though eager love more than sorrow destroys.

In fair Aurelia's arms leave me expiring,

To be embalm'd by the sweets of her breath;

To the last moment I'll still be desiring;

Never had hero so glorious a death.

Externe link

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