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
"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
