Tears and such things --
Love may go hang!
If Love can sigh
For one alone,
Well pleased am I
To be that one.
But should I see
Love giv'n to rove
To two or three,
Then -- good-bye, Love!
Love must, in short,
Keep fond and true,
Through good report,
And evil too.
Else, here I swear,
Young Love may go,
For aught I care --
To Jericho.
Thomas Moore ~ Poet: 1780 - 1852
Irish writer,poet, and lyricist celebrated for his Irish Melodies.
After finishing the song, Mrs. Gardiner returned to her seat, leaving Elizabeth standing alone. Having said a few words about Robert Burns and what inspired her to choose this particular Scottish ballad, Elizabeth began the simple tune in her lower range where the melody ebbed and flowed before ascending tothe more dramatic higher phrases. Singing tender words for a love who had departed, the listener could not help but be drawn into the imagery painted by the poetry and beauty of Elizabeth’s soothing voice.
If anyone had observed Fitzwilliam Darcy during her singing, they would not have missed how he, too, was affected by her performance. Elizabeth Bennet was a passionate woman and he appreciated the heartfelt emotion with which she sang the tender melody. Her Scottish accent was very tasteful and while listening, William could not believe how easily he was drawn into the world of her song, into the very essence of her being. With little effort, he might fall in love with such a woman. Could Lady Gwendolyn be right? Could he end up with much more than convenience if he chose Elizabeth Bennet? Upon finishing, not a sound was heard until she humbly dropped her head, signalling the end.
My luve is like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Luve is like the melodie
That’s sweetly play’d in tune;
As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a’ the seas gang dry;
