Page:Pastorals Epistles Odes (1748).djvu/54

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
40
PASTORALS.
"Now take, delightful bird, my last farewel,
"He said, and learn from hence thou dost excel
"No trivial artist: and anon he wound
"The murmuring strings, and order'd every sound: 84
"Then earnest to his instrument he bends,
"And both hands pliant on the strings extends:
"His touch the strings obey, and various move,
"The lower answering still to those above: 88
"His fingers, restless, traverse to and fro,
"As in pursuit of harmony they go:
"Now lightly skimming, o'er the strings they pass,
"Like winds which gently brush the plying grass, 92
"While melting airs arise at their command:
"And now, laborious, with a weighty hand
"He sinks into the cords, with solemn pace,
"To give the swelling tones a bolder grace; 96
"And now the left, and now by turns the right,
"Each other chase, harmonious both in flight:
"Then his whole fingers blend a swarm of sounds,
"Till the sweet tumult through the harp redounds. 100
"Cease, Colin, cease, thy rival cease to vex;
"The mingling notes, alas! her ear perplex:
"She warbles, diffident, in hope and fear,
"And hits imperfect accents here and there, 104

"And