Virtue

Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright,
The bridal of the earth and sky;
The dew shall weep thy fall to-night,
For thou must die.

Sweet rose, whose hue angry and brave
Bids the rash gazer wipe his eye;
Thy root is ever in its grave,
And thou must die.

Sweet spring, full of sweet days and roses,
A box where sweets compacted lie;
My music shows ye have your closes,
And all must die.

Only a sweet and virtuous soul,
Like season'd timber, never gives;
But though the whole world turn to coal,
Then chiefly lives.
George Herbert, "Virtue" (1633)

Details

  • For soprano & piano
  • Category: Voice & Instrument(s)
  • Year Composed: 2021
  • Duration: 4'
  • Text Writer: George Herbert (1593-1633)
  • Language: English

Performances

  • 10 SEP 2021
  • Virtue - Premiere
  • UCLA (Livestream)
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Michelle Rice, soprano; Paul Floyd, piano