Eighteenth-Century Audio

Source: Gardner Writes. Text.
Includes lengthy introduction. Download link

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Source: UMW. Includes very short introduction. Download link

This to the crown and blessing of my life,
The much loved husband of a happy wife;
To him whose constant passion found the art
To win a stubborn and ungrateful heart,
And to the world by tenderest proof discovers
They err, who say that husbands can’t be lovers.
With such return of passion as is due,
Daphnis I love, Daphnis my thoughts pursue;
Daphnis my hopes and joys are bounded all in you.
Even I, for Daphnis’ and my promise’ sake,
What I in women censure, undertake.
But this from love, not vanity, proceeds;
You know who writes, and I who ’tis that reads.
Judge not my passion by my want of skill:
Many love well, though they express it ill;
And I your censure could with pleasure bear,
Would you but soon return, and speak it here.

1) Read by Alyssa Milano. Source: Poetry Out Loud. Includes introduction. Download Title

2) Read by katyleah. Source: LibriVox. Download Title

3) Read by Alan Davis-Drake. Source: LibriVox. Download Title

4) Read by Carolyn Frances. Source: Librivox. Download Title

5) Read by Liza Ross. Source:YouTube.com.

To My Dear and Loving Husband
If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold
Or all the riches that the East cloth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay,
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let’s so persevere
That when we live no more, we may live ever.

Source: Internet Archive. Text

Lines 1- 564. Download link

Lines 565-1216. Download link