Salmagundi (Huddesford, 1791)/Ode 4
ODE IV.
TO LESBIA'S LUTE.
Ye trembling strings, from whose vibration flows
Joy's thrilling tide and sadly pleasing woe:
Soothing the sense, yet to the soul's repose
Destructive as the Nerve of Cupid's Bow!
Joy's thrilling tide and sadly pleasing woe:
Soothing the sense, yet to the soul's repose
Destructive as the Nerve of Cupid's Bow!
With gentlest melody in Lesbia's ear
(If any mortal sounds have pow'r to tell)
Whisper how much I hope—how much I fear—
The pity I implore—the pains I feel.
(If any mortal sounds have pow'r to tell)
Whisper how much I hope—how much I fear—
The pity I implore—the pains I feel.
When her fleet touch calls forth th' enlivening strain
Bid rapture float upon the charmed air:
Tell her, when sad th' expressive notes complain:
"So breathes thy bard the sigh of deep despair."
Bid rapture float upon the charmed air:
Tell her, when sad th' expressive notes complain:
"So breathes thy bard the sigh of deep despair."
Of yore such sounds, as thrill th' enamour'd breast
When Lesbia's hands the silver chords embrace,
Could lull th' embattled elements to rest,
Bend knotted oaks, and tame a ruthless race;
When Lesbia's hands the silver chords embrace,
Could lull th' embattled elements to rest,
Bend knotted oaks, and tame a ruthless race;
Yet, Lesbia! like thy lute tho' Orpheus strung
His lyre to strains divine, its amorous lord
For Thee had left Euridice unsung,
And Pluto's gloomy confines unexplor'd.
His lyre to strains divine, its amorous lord
For Thee had left Euridice unsung,
And Pluto's gloomy confines unexplor'd.