Tuesday 31 March 2009
Tune of the Day: Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes
Traditional English
The origin of this tune is unknown, but traces back to at least 1770. It is sometimes attributed to Mozart, but there is no verification of the fact.
The origin of the words, instead, is well known: it's Ben Jonson's poem To Celia, written in 1616.
Drink to me only with thine eyes,
And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss within the cup
And I'll not ask for wine.
The thirst that from the soul doth rise
Doth ask a drink divine;
But might I of Jove's nectar sup,
I would not change for thine.
I sent thee late a rosy wreath,
Not so much honouring thee
As giving it a hope that there
It could not withered be;
But thou thereon didst only breathe,
And sent'st it back to me;
Since when it grows, and smells, I swear,
Not of itself but thee!