	What is our Life? (1612) The poem is thought to be written while Raleigh, charged with treason, was imprisoned and living in the Tower of London. Orlando Gibbons’ five-part madrigal What is our Life?, a setting of Raleigh’s poem, was first published in 1612, and included in Gibbons’ First Set of Madrigals and Motets.
	What is our Life? A play of passion, Our mirth the music of division, Our mothers’ wombs the tiring houses be, Where we are dressed for this short comedy. Heaven the judicious sharp spectator is, That sits and marks still who doth act amiss, Our graves that hide us from the searching sun, Are like drawn curtains when the play is done. Thus march we, playing, to our latest rest, Only we die in earnest, that’s no jest.

What is our Life? (1612)

The poem is thought to be written while Raleigh, charged with treason, was imprisoned and living in the Tower of London. Orlando Gibbons’ five-part madrigal What is our Life?, a setting of Raleigh’s poem, was first published in 1612, and included in Gibbons’ First Set of Madrigals and Motets.

Timestamp

Text in work (English)

What is our Life? A play of passion,
Our mirth the music of division,
Our mothers’ wombs the tiring houses be,
Where we are dressed for this short comedy.
Heaven the judicious sharp spectator is,
That sits and marks still who doth act amiss,
Our graves that hide us from the searching sun,
Are like drawn curtains when the play is done.
Thus march we, playing, to our latest rest,
Only we die in earnest, that’s no jest.