Weep You No More...

People pass away every day, and of course, any death is sad, but the world of English show-business has been suffering from a very sad spell recently.  From the world, we have lost David Bowie, John Bradbury, and Lemmy.  Two greatly respected stars of stage and screen, Alan Rickman and Brian Bedford have gone too.  Finally, a great disc jockey and television presenter, Ed "Stewpot" Stewart.

In the space of three weeks or so, that is too much.  While I have already posted here about David Bowie, it seems like a good time to publish an old poem, a poem that for centuries, has been used to soothe one's misery and unhappiness.

The original author is unknown, but the poem is highly regarded in classical music circles, having been set to music by both John Dowland and Roger Quilter.

Weep You No More, Sad Fountains

Weep you no more, sad fountains;

What need you flow so fast?

Look how the snowy mountains

Heaven's sun doth gently waste.

But my sun's heavenly eyes

View not your weeping,

That now lies sleeping

Softly, now softly lies

Sleeping.

Sleep is a reconciling,

A rest that peace begets:

Doth not the sun rise smiling

When fair at even he sets?

Rest you then, rest, sad eyes,

Melt not in weeping,

While she lies sleeping

Softly, now softly lies

Sleeping