8
If thus we do the Scriptures read,
It too might be disputed
If such a person had a head,
Since nothing’s said about it.
There’s many simple things like that
The Scripture has omitted;
It has not room for idle chat
To please the self-conceited.
The man that’s willing to dispute,
He never wants a plea;
For instance, ye may ask what fruit
Was the forbidden tree.
But what is that for you or me
To stand about debating?
The fruit was fruit, the tree a tree,
And Adam’s sin was eating.
To David’s psalms is oft affix’d
The subject they were made on;
Sometimes the tune that suits the text,
And whistle it was play’d on.
But names o’ tunes like names of towns,
Or man or woman’s name,
Will not translate to other tongues,
But always stands the same.
Yet music in the Hebrew tongue
Had quavers,flats, and sharps.
Or how could e’er their psalms been sung,
Or play’d on flutes or harps.
So after a’ that ye have said,
Your arguments are frail,
The sweetest song that e’er was made
Without a tune’s a tale.
