St George's Day - Fairest Isle

Happy St George's Day

We run a loose ship here at Tweed Towers, but sometimes we take notice of dates. And today we remembered it was St. George's day, so a happy St. George's day to all our English readers.

We'll recommend a rose martini, as usual.

England - Fairest Isle

John Dryden's lyrics for Purcell's Fairest Isle are written as if intended for a lover. Why not then we look at England as a lover today - one that needs a bit of extra pampering on her special day.

Fairest isle, all isles excelling,
Seat of pleasure and of love
Venus here will choose her dwelling,
And forsake her Cyprian grove.
Cupid from his fav'rite nation
Care and envy will remove;
Jealousy, that poisons passion,
And despair, that dies for love.

Gentle murmurs, sweet complaining,
Sighs that blow the fire of love
Soft repulses, kind disdaining,
Shall be all the pains you prove.
Ev'ry swain shall pay his duty,
Grateful ev'ry nymph shall prove;
And as these excel in beauty,
Those shall be renown'd for love.