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Thule and the Andalusian merchant

from So, what would happen if .​.​. by David Warin Solomons

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Thule, the period of Cosmography (and The Andalusian merchant) -
a madrigal for 6 voices by Thomas Weelkes

Interpretation:
Iceland (it means Iceland here, since Hecla (Hekla) is mentioned, although Thule does now refer to other distant places),
the period (ie full stop) of mapmaking (ie the end of the known world)
boasts of its volcano Hecla, whose sulphurous fire melts the ice and thaws the sky
Etna's flames on Sicily are no higher than this (this is poetic licence, Etna is actually higher than Hecla!)
These things are amazing but not as amazing as me
because I can be both cold and hot, with fear and with love

The second verse is fairly self explanatory, although there is debate as to whether Fogo (= "fire" in Portuguese)
refers to the volcano in Cape Verde (off Senegal) or to Tierra del Fuego. I would vote for Cape Verde since the harmony,
when referring to Fogo, is probably one of the most chromatic pieces of writing in the madrigal repertoire
and is a marvellous depiction of the lava flowing down a volcano.

lyrics

Thule, the period of cosmography,

Doth vaunt of Hecla, whose sulphureous fire

Doth melt the frozen clime and thaw the sky;

Trinacrian Etna's flames ascend not higher.

These things seem wondrous, yet more wondrous I,

Whose heart with fear doth freeze, with love doth fry.



The Andalusian merchant, that returns

Laden with cochineal and China dishes,

Reports in Spain how strangely Fogo burns

Amidst an ocean full of flying fishes.

These things seem wondrous, yet more wondrous I,

Whose heart with fear doth freeze, with love doth fry.

credits

from So, what would happen if .​.​., released March 2, 2015

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David Warin Solomons Sale, UK

Composer from UK born in 1953, concentrating on lyrical and tonal works for chamber music combinations, solo voice and choral works.

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