Inspired by my recent encounter with that miracle of musical loveliness, Dame Emma Kirkby, last night I listened to my 1976 recording of her performing Dowland with The Consort of Musicke. The following song (which I listened to for what must have been the x-hundred-and-somethingth time) struck me as being jolly fitting fare for posting here. That’s all. Do enjoy it.
Fine knacks for ladies, cheap choice brave and new,
Good pennyworths but money cannot move,
I keep a fair but for the fair to view,
A beggar may be liberal of love,
Though all my wares be trash the heart is true.
Great gifts are guiles and look for gifts again,
My trifles come, as treasures from my mind,
It is a precious jewel to be plain,
Sometimes in shell the Orient´s pearls we find,
Of others take a sheaf, of me a grain.
Within this pack pins points laces and gloves,
And divers toys fitting a country fair,
But in my heart where duty serves and loves,
Turtles and twins, Court´s brood, a heav´nly pair,
Happy the heart that thinks of no removes.
John Dowland, The Second Book of Songs or Ayres
June 9, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Dear Mr. Ambrose,
Enjoyed your last blog about hearing Dame Emma in recital. My firm represents her in the United States where she will be touring with two different programs in October 2009. May we use your funny and touching review of her recital in our promotional materials? We would of course credit your authorship. I sent Emma a link to your blog, by the way – will let you know if she responds.
All the best, David
June 10, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Dear David (if I may),
Thank you for your kind message. I’d be only too happy to give permission for my account of the concert to be used by yourselves in promotion of Dame E – delighted, in fact.
If you could leave an e-mail address at which I could contact you at your firm, that would be most useful.
In the meantime, I am with every good wish, etc.
B(ashful) A(nd pseudonymous)
June 10, 2008 at 3:16 pm
David, forgive my obtuseness – of course, I have access to your e-mail address from your comment! I’ll be in touch tomorrow.
BA
June 11, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Well? Are you going to be in print?
June 11, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Good question, Berenike. Of course, I’d be in a better position to know if I’d remembered to e-mail the folk I said I would – ahem…
B(ungling) A(mateur)
June 13, 2008 at 11:17 am
Emma is a proof for the existence of God.
June 13, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Indeed, Tepidus* – and she’s a darn sight prettier and easier on the ear than the ontological argument. Sorry, St Anselm.
*With a name like that, sir, you really ought to visit Laodicea.
July 4, 2008 at 7:34 pm
That was a really cute blog you did. And I am jealous! Wish I could have seen her in concert!