Poems (Campbell)/To an Old Musical Instrument
TO AN OLD MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.
While some, of their fictitious lyres,
A mournful farewell take,
Deep tones of sorrow from thy wires,
My trembling fingers wake:
What though thy tones were wild and rude,
Yet oft they pleas'd mine ear,
They charm'd my hours of solitude,
And sweeten'd ev'ry tear!
Partner of many a lonely hour,
And soother of its pain,
Farewelll!———thy soft consoling pow'r
Shall never charm again!
Then fare-thee-well!—for we must part,—
A lighter hand, a gayer heart
May wake thy notes with better skill;—
With more of music's melting art,
A sadder never will!
A mournful farewell take,
Deep tones of sorrow from thy wires,
My trembling fingers wake:
What though thy tones were wild and rude,
Yet oft they pleas'd mine ear,
They charm'd my hours of solitude,
And sweeten'd ev'ry tear!
Partner of many a lonely hour,
And soother of its pain,
Farewelll!———thy soft consoling pow'r
Shall never charm again!
Then fare-thee-well!—for we must part,—
A lighter hand, a gayer heart
May wake thy notes with better skill;—
With more of music's melting art,
A sadder never will!
FINIS.