To Lucasta, On Going To The Wars (1988) by Jeffrey Bernstein

Composed 1988 by Jeffrey Bernstein (ASCAP). Text by Richard Lovelace. Performed at Harvard University in May 1989 by Arthur Rishi, tenor and Noam D. Elkies, pianist. Copyright © 1988 Corduroy Fifths Music Publishing

TELL me not, Sweet, I am unkind,
That from the nunnery
Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind
To war and arms I fly.

True, a new mistress now I chase,
The first foe in the field;
And with a stronger faith embrace
A sword, a horse, a shield.

Yet this inconstancy is such
As thou too shalt adore;
I could not love thee, Dear, so much,
Loved I not Honour more.