James Oswald
 (1710 - 1769)

How cruel and how hard is my case
 (S./T.Vn.Continuo)
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Published in "The Musical Magazine", London c.1760.
Lyrics: Anon

How cruel and hard is my case,
Thus rack'd between friendship and love;
My Chloe possesses each grace
That is shar'd by the angels above.
Her beauty an hermit might warm,
The swan is excell'd by her mien;
She has sense that Minerva might charm,
She's enchanting to hear and be seen.

Ye gods! what delights I should prove
(Since Chloe attends to my strains),
If my Strephon, my friend, did not love,
And of Chloe chant over the plains:
But alas! if my Chloe I wed,
My Strephon's poor bosom 'twill rend:
His body will mix with the dead,
And I must survive my dear friend.

Then can I my Strephon destroy?
Or purchase my bliss with his Death?
Or can I my Chloe enjoy
When I've robb'd her adorer of breath?
No; rather than murder a friend,
To Strephon my love I'll resign;
And tho' I'm approaching my end,
That I've bless'd them I ne'er shall repine.