'Sweet work' is how Shelley expresses his Romantic vision of love among the waves and the heavenly winds. Equally elevated is Yeats's dream of the gorgeous embroidered cloths he would like to present to his loved one. More earthbound is Heath-Stubbs' beggar, who does his 'sweet work' under a bush. Two authors close in on scenes of real intimacy. Herrick's The Kiss is playful but a fourth-century Chinese idyll suggests serious passion. By contrast Campion shows a love which is fanned into vibrancy by separation. The urgency of Thomas Morley's texts seems to spring from the low life-expectancy of the times - lovers are reminded that 'old age hasteth'. Thomas Vautor's teenager needs no reminding, however, as she hammers at the gates of Paradise, determined to get a share of the action.

Sweet Work was first performed on 4th April 2003 at The Deanery Hall, Exeter Cathedral, and 5th April at Ondaatje Hall, Blundells School, Tiverton, by Anna Rufey (mezzo soprano), Daniel Broad (baritone) and Andrew Bullough (piano).

The work is dedicated to Anna Rufey and Daniel Broad.