| Citation |
BC.769.120
23-26 Oct 1769:3481 (139)
The Meddler. No. 3.
. . . [1 line from Virgil, 11 lines introduction.]
ON MUSIC.
Music has charms to sooth the languid soul,
The dull to fire, the raging to controul;
O'er all the man, it bears unbounded sway,
And bids our passions, and our pains obey.
When madding fury guides the loosned rein,
And reason checks, or pity pleads in vain,
The charms of music lull the soul to rest,
And calm the wild disorder in the breast;
The vissage chang'd, a smile of pleasure wears,
And peace restor'd, her rightful scepter rears.
Soft music brings the tender soul relief,
That melts with love, or languishes with grief;
The pleasing notes their rising sighs allay;
The soul attends and gives its cares away.
But when our country's cause the sword demands,
And sets in fierce array, the warrior bands;
Strong martial music, glorious rage inspires,
Wakes the bold wish and fans the rising fires.
Hearts froze with fear, the trumpets clangour warms,
New rage inflames them and new vigour arms.
Tho' fierce to combat rush, the hostile train,
Tho' polish'd lances glitter o'er the plain.,
Tho' blazing cannon thunder all around,
And death and horror shake the trembling ground;
Inspir'd by music and untaught by fear,
Dauntless they rush, nor dread the pointed spear,
Dare ev'ry danger, scorn the fear of death,
And sigh for glory with their latest breath.
When fierce despair's black glooms, the visage shroud,
Damp all our hopes, and all the soul o'er-cloud,
Melodious song the drooping spirit chears,
Revives our wishes and dispels our fears,
As yields the bending willow to the force,
Where gentle Zephyr winds his airy course:
So yields the soul, to soothing charms of sound,
'Till ev'ry care, in heavenly joy is drown'd.
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