Come consenti Amore

Giovanni de Macque was a significant composer of madrigals in the late 16th century. This example of his secular part-music is set for five voices (SAATB) in Italian. The text expresses the singer's plea to Love itself, questioning why such a beautiful and graceful woman can possess a heart of enamel and take pleasure in seeing him weep and burn with passion. He begs Love either to stop his tears and quench his ardour, or to move her to pity for his suffering.