2010
Rest
Composed by 
David Conte
David Conte Text by 
Christina Rossetti
Christina Rossetti Three Poems of Christina Rossetti Song Collection
"Rest" is the first song of David Conte's song cycle Three Poems of Christina Rossetti.
The audio selection features Catherine Cook, mezzo-soprano, and Steven Bailey, piano. Used with the permission of the composer.
Text
Rest
by Christina Rossetti
O Earth lie heavily upon her eyes;
Seal her sweet eyes weary of watching, Earth.
Lie close around her,
Leave no room for mirth with its harsh laughter,
Nor for sound of sighs.
She hath no questions, she hath no replies,
Hushed in and curtained with a blessed dearth
Of all that irked her from her hour of birth;
With stillness that is almost Paradise.
Darkness more clear than noon-day holdeth her,
Silence more musical than any song;
Even her very heart hath ceased to stir;
Until the morning of Eternity her rest shall not begin nor end,
But be, and when she wakes she will not think it long.
Related Information
E. C. Schirmer Music Company
ecspublishing.comAudio
“Rest” (from “Three Poems of Christina Rossetti”)
Catherine Cook (mezzo-soprano) & Steven Bailey (piano)5:07