Come again

John Dowland's 'Come Again' is a poignant exploration of unrequited love and the deep emotional turmoil it brings. The song, written in the late Renaissance period, is a lamentation of a lover who is desperately yearning for the return of his beloved. The opening lines, 'Come again: Sweet love doth now invite,' set the tone for the entire piece, expressing a longing for the return of a love that once brought immense joy and now only brings sorrow in its absence. The repetition of the phrase 'Come again' underscores the lover's desperation and hope for reconciliation.

The lyrics are rich with metaphors and vivid imagery that convey the depth of the lover's despair. Phrases like 'To see, to hear, to touch, to kiss, to die' and 'I sit, I sigh, I weep, I faint, I die' illustrate the intense emotional and physical pain experienced by the lover. The use of natural elements, such as the sun and the seasons, further emphasizes the contrast between the joy that love once brought and the misery of its loss. The sun, which 'lends me shine,' now causes the lover to 'pine' and 'feeds me with delay,' while the beloved's frowns turn the lover's life into a perpetual winter.

Dowland's use of personification and hyperbole heightens the emotional impact of the song. The beloved is depicted as having 'eyes of fire' and a 'heart of flint,' suggesting an unyielding and cruel nature. Despite the lover's unwavering faith and genuine emotions, the beloved remains indifferent, causing the lover to suffer in 'deadly pain and endless misery.' The plea to 'Gentle love' to 'draw forth thy wounding dart' reflects the lover's desire for relief from the torment of unrequited love, even if it means enduring more pain.

'Come Again' is a timeless reflection on the anguish of unreciprocated affection, capturing the universal experience of longing and heartache. Dowland's masterful use of language and musical composition creates a deeply moving piece that resonates with anyone who has ever experienced the pain of unreturned love.