Annotation:Power of Beauty (The): Difference between revisions

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POWER OF BEAUTY, THE. English, Air (cut time). D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABBCCDD. "The Power of Beauty" was the name of a Shakespearean-era poem by Somersetshire poet Samuel Daniel, part of his larger work, "The Complaint of Rosamund." However, The piece printed by Thumoth in London in 1745 is a setting of a song by English poet, dramatist and song-writer Henry Carey (1687-1743), also called "The Power of Beauty; or, The Snake," printed in Caliope, or English Harmony, vol. 2 (p. 110), Apollo's Cabinet; or, The Muses Delight (p. 162) and other mid-18th century songsters. It begins:

Is there a charm ye powers above
To ease a wounded breast;
Thro' reason's glass to look at love
To wish and yet to rest;
Let wisdom boast tis all in vain,
An empire o'er the mind,
Tis beauty beauty holds the chain,
And Triumphs o'er mankind, and triumphs o'er Mankind.

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: Burke Thumoth (12 English and 12 Irish Airs with Variations), c. 1745; No. 1, pp. 2-3.

Recorded sources:

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-'''POWER OF BEAUTY, THE.''' English, Air (cut time). D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABBCCDD. The air is perhaps associated with the poem "The Power of Beauty" by Somersetshire poet Samuel Daniel, son of a teacher of music and tutor to the daughter and heir of the Earl of Cumberland, Lady Anne Clifford. "The Power of Beauty" was part of Daniel's larger work, "The Complaint of Rosamund." The first stanza goes:
+'''POWER OF BEAUTY, THE.''' English, Air (cut time). D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABBCCDD. "The Power of Beauty" was the name of a Shakespearean-era poem by Somersetshire poet Samuel Daniel, part of his larger work, "The Complaint of Rosamund." However, The piece printed by Thumoth in London in 1745 is a setting of a song by English poet, dramatist and song-writer Henry Carey (1687-1743), also called "The Power of Beauty; or, The Snake," printed in '''Caliope, or English Harmony, vol. 2''' (p. 110), '''Apollo's Cabinet; or, The Muses Delight''' (p. 162) and other mid-18th century songsters. It begins:
 <blockquote>
-''Look, how a comet at the first appearing''<br>
+''Is there a charm ye powers above''<br>
-''Draws all men's eyes with wonder to behold it;''<br>
+''To ease a wounded breast;''<br>
-''Or, as the saddest tale at sudden hearing''<br>
+''Thro' reason's glass to look at love''<br>
-''Makes silent, listening unto him that told it;''<br>
+''To wish and yet to rest;''<br>
-''So did my speech when rubies did unfold it,''<br>
+''Let wisdom boast tis all in vain,''<br>
-''So did the balzing of my blush appear,''<br>
+''An empire o'er the mind,''<br>
-''To amaze the world that holds such sights so dear.''<br>
+''Tis beauty beauty holds the chain,''<br>
+''And Triumphs o'er mankind, and triumphs o'er Mankind.''<br>
 </blockquote>
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