All Pleasure is of this Condition

John Wilbye’s secular madrigal All Pleasure is of this Condition is a striking example of Renaissance part-music for SSATB voices. Sung in English, it explores the fleeting nature of earthly delights. The text paints a vivid picture of pleasure as a bee, drawing men forward with the promise of fruition. Yet, once enjoyed, like the bee after it has shed its honey, pleasure flies away, leaving behind only a painful sting. This sting represents the gnawing grief and lasting smart that follows the loss of fleeting joy. Wilbye’s music masterfully captures this contrast between transient pleasure and its bitter aftermath, making it a compelling choice for a consort of voices.