Francis Pilkington Rest, Sweet Nymphes This charming song, a pastoral lullaby, is one of Pilkingtons most appealing works, with its tranquil mood, caressing tones, and a tiny hint of the erotic. The singer addresses the nymphs (figures from Greek mythology, which the Elizabethans frequently used as a generic term for beautiful young women), urging them to dream of and send kisses to their lovers while they sleep. The melody is simple, befitting the pastoral setting, and moves by delicate steps, which set the languid tone of the work. As with many lute songs, such as Campions Beauty, since you so much desire the singer can leave the song on an innocent surface level, or hint at more erotic imagery, particularly in the basic idea of watching beautiful sleeping women, or such lines as lullaby hath pleased you and eased you and sweet slumber seized you, and now to bed I hie.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 23:42:33 +0000
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