Dry those fair, those crystal eyes

”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 in the Souvenir of the Charing Cross Hospital Bazaar, and its first performance was at the Royal Albert Hall on 21 June 1899.

Lyrics

DRY THOSE FAIR, THOSE CRYSTAL EYES

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.

Recordings

• "The Unknown Elgar" includes "Dry those fair, those crystal eyes" performed by Teresa Cahill (soprano), with Barry Collett (piano).
• Songs and Piano Music by Edward Elgar has "Dry those fair, those crystal eyes" performed by Peter Savidge (baritone), with David Owen Norris (piano).
• Elgar: Complete Songs for Voice & Piano Amanda Roocroft (soprano), Reinild Mees (piano)

References

• Banfield, Stephen, Sensibility and English Song: Critical studies of the early 20th century (Cambridge University Press, 1985) ISBN 0-521-37944-X
• Kennedy, Michael, Portrait of Elgar (Oxford University Press, 1968) ISBN 0-19-315414-5