Ending on the rustling leaves With minute drops from off the eaves. Where the rude axe, with heavéd stroke, And let some strange mysterious dream. Softly on my eyelids laid: And, as I wake, sweet music breathe Sent by some spirit to mortals good, Dissolve me into ecstasies, And bring all Heaven before mine eyes. These pleasures, Melancholy, give, J. MILTON. 114. SONG OF THE EMIGRANTS IN BERMUDA Where the remote Bermudas ride In the ocean's bosom unespied, Unto an isle so long unknown, And yet far kinder than our own? He lands us on a grassy stage, Safe from the storms, and prelate's rage: He makes the figs our mouths to meet, And all the way, to guide their chime, A. MARVELL. 115. AT A SOLEMN MUSIC. Blest pair of Sirens, pledges of Heaven's joy, With saintly shout and solemn jubilee ; And the Cherubic host in thousand quires Singing everlastingly : That we on earth, with undiscording voice In first obedience, and their state of good. O may we soon again renew that Song, And keep in tune with Heaven, till God ere long To His celestial concert us unite, To live with Him, and sing in endless morn of light! J. MILTON. 116. ALEXANDER'S FEAST, OR, THE POWER OF MUSIC. 'Twas at the royal feast for Persia won By Philip's warlike son Aloft in awful state The godlike hero sate On his imperial throne; His valiant peers were placed around, Their brows with roses and with myrtles bound (So should desert in arms be crown'd); The lovely Thais by his side Sate like a blooming eastern bride In flower of youth and beauty's pride : Happy, happy, happy pair! None but the brave None but the brave None but the brave deserves the fair! Timotheus placed on high Amid the tuneful quire With flying fingers touch'd the lyre: The song began from Jove Who left his blissful seats above- Then round her slender waist he curl'd, And stamp'd an image of himself, a sovereign of the world. -The listening crowd admire the lofty sound! A present deity! they shout around: A present deity! the vaulted roofs rebound! With ravish'd ears The monarch hears, Assumes the god; Affects to nod And seems to shake the spheres. The praise of Bacchus then the sweet musician sung: Of Bacchus ever fair and ever young: The jolly god in triumph comes! Sound the trumpets, beat the drums: Flush'd with a purple grace He shows his honest face: Now give the hautboys breath; he comes, he comes! Bacchus, ever fair and young, Drinking joys did first ordain; Bacchus' blessings are a treasure, Drinking is the soldier's pleasure: |