Dry those fair, those crystal eyes

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”Dry those fair, those crystal eyes” is a poem by Henry King (1591-1669) Bishop of Chichester, set to music by the English composer Edward Elgar in 1899.

It was published as a souvenir of the Charing Cross Hospital Bazaar, and its first performance was at the Royal Albert Hall on 21 June 1899.

[edit] Lyrics

Dry those fair, those crystal eyes,

Which, like growing fountains, rise,

To drown their banks : grief’s sullen brooks

Would better flow in furrow’d looks ;

Thy lovely face was never meant

To be the shore of discontent.

Then clear those waterish stars again,

Which else portend a lasting rain ;

Lest the clouds which settle there,

Prolong my winter all the year,

And thy example others make

In love with sorrow for thy sake.

[edit] Recordings

"The Unknown Elgar" includes "Dry those fair, those crystal eyes" performed by Teresa Cahill (soprano), with Barry Collett (piano).

[edit] References

• Kennedy, Michael, Portrait of Elgar (Oxford University Press, 1968) ISBN 0193154145