The recorded marriage of lute music with poetry was launched in the 1960s by Dame Peggy Ashcroft and Julian Bream and‚ after having lain dormant for some time‚ it now resurfaces. The focus of the first part of the programme is on the love poems of John Donne‚ words from one of which provide the album’s title. Five are spoken by Paul Hillier‚ others are set as lute­songs by various lutenists (including ‘Anon’). The items in the second part are taken from Henry Lawes’ Select Ayres & Dialogues (1669) and are based on poems by contemporary authors‚ all set as lute­songs by Henry and William Lawes‚ and John Wilson. Both sections are punctuated by instrumental solos – lute in the first‚ theorbo and five­course (‘Baroque’) guitar in the second‚ adding to the variety of the programme as a whole. This is a format that might profitably be considered by others‚ both in concert and on disc. Though all the texts are given in the inlay booklet‚ clarity of diction is a sine qua non in the relaxed enjoyment of listening; it should surprise no one to learn that Paul Hillier delivers it or‚ for that matter‚ that Nigel North’s performances are flawless. Recording quality and annotation (by Nigel North) are first­class. An irresistible issue.