Then round her slender waist he curl'd, And stamp'd an image of himself, a sovereign of the world. 29 -The listening crowd admire the lofty sound; A present deity! the vaulted roofs rebound: The monarch hears, Assumes the god, And seems to shake the spheres. 35 40 The praise of Bacchus then the sweet musician sung, 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, Rich the treasure, Sweet the pleasure, Sweet is pleasure after pain. Soothed with the sound, the king grew vain ; Fought all his battles o'er again, 45 39 50 And thrice he routed all his foes, and thrice he slew the slain. The master saw the madness rise, 55 His glowing cheeks, his ardent eyes; And while he Heaven and Earth defied Changed his hand and check'd his pride. Soft pity to infuse : He sung Darius great and good, By too severe a fate Fallen, fallen, fallen, fallen, Fallen from his high estate, 60 And weltering in his blood; 65 With not a friend to close his eyes. -With downcast looks the joyless victor sate, Revolving in his alter'd soul 71 The various turns of Chance below; And now and then a sigh he stole, The mighty master smiled to see Fighting still, and still destroying ; Take the good the gods provide thee! -The many rend the skies with loud applause ; So Love was crown'd, but Music won the cause. The prince, unable to conceal his pain, Gazed on the fair Who caused his care, Sigh'd and look'd, and sigh'd again : 75 80 85 91 And sigh'd and look'd, sigh'd and look'd, 95 At length with love and wine at once opprest The vanquish'd victor sunk upon her breast. Now strike the golden lyre again : A louder yet, and yet a louder strain ! And rouse him like a rattling peal of thunder. Has raised up his head : 100 As awaked from the dead See the snakes that they rear 105 And the sparkles that flash from their eyes! 110 Behold a ghastly band, Each a torch in his hand ! Those are Grecian ghosts, that in battle were slain And unburied remain Inglorious on the plain : Give the vengeance due Behold how they toss their torches on high, And glittering temples of their hostile gods. 115 120 And the King seized a flambeau with zeal to destroy; Thais led the way To light him to his prey, And like another Helen, fired another Troy ! 125 -Thus, long ago, Ere heaving bellows learn'd to blow, While organs yet were mute, Timotheus, to his breathing flute And sounding lyre, 130 Could swell the soul to rage, or kindle soft desire. At last divine Cecilia came, Inventress of the vocal frame; The sweet enthusiast from her sacred store 135 With Nature's mother-wit, and arts unknown before. -Let old Timotheus yield the prize Or both divide the crown ; He raised a mortal to the skies; 140 J. DRYDEN.. THE GOLDEN TREASURY BOOK THIRD 117 ODE ON THE PLEASURE ARISING FROM VICISSITUDE Now the golden Morn aloft Waves her dew-bespangled wing, Till April starts, and calls around New-born flocks, in rustic dance, 5 10 But chief, the sky-lark warbles high And lessening from the dazzled sight, 15 Yesterday the sullen year Saw the snowy whirlwind fly; The herd stood drooping by: 20 Smiles on past Misfortune's brow While Hope prolongs our happier hour, Still, where rosy Pleasure leads, See the wretch that long has tost T. GRAY. 118 THE QUIET LIFE Happy the man, whose wish and care A few paternal acres bound, Content to breathe his native air In his own ground. Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread, In winter fire. 25 30 35 40 45 6 |