[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySXA9lP6yJE]

Henry Purcell “Sweeter than Roses”

from Incidental Music to Pausanius, the Betrayer of his Country Z. 585 (1695),

Performed by American countertenor David Daniels (b. 12 March 1966)

Sweeter than roses, or cool evening breeze
On a warm flowery shore, was the dear kiss,
First trembling made me freeze,
Then shot like fire all o'er.
What magic has victorious love!
For all I touch or see since that dear kiss,
I hourly prove, all is love to me.