The gods by Music have their praise; * In seas, whom pirates would destroy, O heavenly gift! that rules the mind, To comfort man, whom cares would nip! PERCY. • Ovid-from Herodotus. The Delphin editor of Virgil seriously asserts, that this fish has been known to be enticed and tamed by the power of music. Every one has read Shakspeare's rather too highly-coloured picture, of the heart which "Is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, Let no such man be trusted." Our great reformer, Luther, expresses his admiration of music in very naive and forcible language. "Music is one of the most beautiful and glorious gifts of God, to which the Evil One is a bitter enemy. By music, many tribulations and evil thoughts are driven away. It is one of the best arts; the notes give life to the text. It expelleth melancholy, as we see in King Saul. Music is the best solace for a sad and sorrowful mind. By means of music the heart is comforted, and settles again to peace. It is said in Virgil, Tu calamos inflare leves, ego dicere versus.' Play thou the notes, and I will sing the words. Music is one half of discipline, and a schoolmistress that makes men more gentle and meek-more modest and intelligent. Music is a gift of God, and nearly allied to theology. I would not for a great deal be destitute of the small skill in music I have." LUTHER'S Colloquia Mensalia; or, Table Talk. By Dr. AURIFABER. 1569.-Ed. SONNET En Praise of the Fair Geraldine. BY HENRY HOWARD EARL OF SURREY. [About 1540.] FROM Tuscané came my lady's worthy race, Her sire, an earl; her dame, of prince's blood; With King's child,* where she tasteth costly food. Honsdon did first present her to mine eyn; Bright is her hue, and Geraldine she hight. Hampton me taught to wish her first for mine, And Windsor, alas! doth chase me from her sight. Her beauty of kind, † her virtue from above; Happy is he that can obtain her love! RITSON. • Maid of honour to the Princess Mary. Of Consanguinity, i. e. derived from her ancestors. DESCRIPTION OF SPRING. BY THE SAME. THE Soote Season that bud and bloom forth brings, The hart hath hung his old head on the pale; CAMPBELL. * Sweet. + Mate. t Horns. WHEN Whispering winds that creeping steal, Distil soft passions through the heart; And when at every touch we feel Our senses join and bear a part; A heart-string ache;- Can scarce deny Our souls are made of harmony. When unto heavenly joys we fain Which only thus we can explain, Make stars to wink ; Philosophy Will ne'er deny Our souls consist of harmony. O lull me, lull me, charming Air! That hath an ear? Down let him lie, And slumb'ring die, And change his soul for harmony! JAMIESON. THE RED-CROSS KNIGHT.* BLOW, Warder! blow thy sounding horn, For the Christians have fought in the Holy Land, Loud, loud the warder blew his horn, And his banner waved on high: "Let the mass be sung, and the bells be rung, Then bright the castle banners shone On every tower on high, And all the minstrels sang aloud For the Christians' victory: And loud the warder blew his horn, On every turret high,— "Let the mass be sung, and the bells be rung, The warder he looked from the tower on high, As far as he could see: "I see a bold Knight! and by his red cross, The preceding Ballads of this Selection may be distinguished by the term, "Ancient Ballads;" being supposed to be, generally speaking, and in their original state, not less than two hundred years old. Those that follow, have, for the most part, been written within the last seventy years; and several of them, since the commencement of the present Century. |