The book provides a close textual and musical analysis of Dowland’s secular vocal music published in his four Bookes of Songs or Ayres between 1597 and 1612 in late Renaissance England. After a short introductory chapter on the composer’s life, the focus of attention is being moved to the stylistic and intellectual qualities of the lyrics which Dowland set to music, interpreting them as texts which reflect life at the court of Elizabeth I. Special attention is being paid to the composer’s Lachrimae motive and the peculiar way in which this four note emblem is presented in many of his compositions. The second part contains a complete and commented translation of Dowlands lyrics into German. Part III consists of altogether 2 illustrations, 6 Facsimiles and 9 transcriptions.