Now all those charms, that blooming grace, 150 The well-proportion'd shape, and beauteous To sweep at once her life and beauty too; But, like a harden'd felon, took a pride 160 But thus Orinda died: Heav'n, by the same disease, did both translate; As equal were their souls, so equal was their fate. IX Meantime her warlike brother on the seas His waving streamers to the winds dis plays, And vows for his return, with vain devotion, pays. Ah, generous youth, that wish forbear, The winds too soon will waft thee here! Slack all thy sails, and fear to come, 170 Alas, thou know'st not, thou art wreck'd at home! No more shalt thou behold thy sister's face, Thou hast already had her last embrace. But look aloft, and if thou kenu'st from far Among the Pleiads a new kindled star; If any sparkles than the rest more bright, "T is she that shines in that propitious light. A SONG FOR ST. CECILIA'S DAY [About 1683 a musical society in London began the custom of celebrating November 22, the Feast of St. Cecilia, the patroness of music, by a public concert. Dryden wrote the following ode, which was set to music by an Italian composer, Giovanni Battista Draghi, for the performance of 1687.] I FROM harmony, from heav'nly harmony And Music's pow'r obey. From harmony, from heav'nly harmony This universal frame begau: From harmony to harmony Thro' all the compass of the notes it ran, The diapason closing full in Man. II 10 Sooth'd with the sound, the king grew vain; Fought all his battles o'er again; And thrice he routed all his foes; and thrice he slew the slain. The master saw the madness rise; Soft pity to infuse: Fallen from his high estate, 70 80 |