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Music from the West. 229 |
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I must go an heretical step further, as we are on the subject of Shakespeare music, and confess cool disrespect in regard to the far-famed music for 1 Macbeth,' said to be Locke's—more probably by Eccles : in no event of parentage worth quarrelling about. But, for exceptions, I must name Dr. Arne's music to 'The Tempest,' and to 'As you like it': 'Where the bee sucks,' and 'Blow, blow, thou winter wind,' are English words set to English music, with as much freshness and originality as beauty.
Then, as I have by chance diverged into this path, I must represent that Bishop's settings of Shakespeare are by themselves in power and in freshness. His ' Bid me discourse' is the most lasting English bravura in being; his delicious canzonet, 'By the simplicity of Venus's doves' (a most exquisite setting of sound to sense) and his 'Orpheus' duet owe " little save to English inspiration.
Bishop had a fairy land of his own. Peculiarities of character only stood between him and a European fame. And then he fell on evil days, when the riches of the Continent were streaming into England; and when those in whose service his life was passed, tempted, and perhaps constrained him to make |
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