AMYNTAS.
109
THYRSIS.
I'll hasten to the cave of sage Elpinus:,
Thither for consolation he is gone,
If he's alive; none fitter than Elpinus
To heal the wounded soul with virtuous counsel,
And raise it with the powers of harmony.
In awful solitude his cave is seated;
Nature improves the scene with various sweets,
Romantic in her garb, and attitudes.
These objects banish care, they set us loose
From mean attachments, and compose our souls
For fine impressions, and for heavenly airs:
But when the godlike bard, his flute inspiring,
Pours the melodious, sounding, varied strain;
We then participate an angel's nature;
'Tis nought but extasy, poetic vision.
Nor is it man alone that feels the charm:
It draws the sluggish, latent soul from rocks;
They listen, and they soften at the lay;,
To milk are mellowed all the neighbouring rills,
And honey from the rugged oak distills.
I'll hasten to the cave of sage Elpinus:,
Thither for consolation he is gone,
If he's alive; none fitter than Elpinus
To heal the wounded soul with virtuous counsel,
And raise it with the powers of harmony.
In awful solitude his cave is seated;
Nature improves the scene with various sweets,
Romantic in her garb, and attitudes.
These objects banish care, they set us loose
From mean attachments, and compose our souls
For fine impressions, and for heavenly airs:
But when the godlike bard, his flute inspiring,
Pours the melodious, sounding, varied strain;
We then participate an angel's nature;
'Tis nought but extasy, poetic vision.
Nor is it man alone that feels the charm:
It draws the sluggish, latent soul from rocks;
They listen, and they soften at the lay;,
To milk are mellowed all the neighbouring rills,
And honey from the rugged oak distills.
SCENE
