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TO MRS. BILLINGTON:
WRITTEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER HEARING HER SING AT MR. RAUZZINI'S CONCERT, APRIL 4, 1804.
What can be said of Voice, or Face,
Of Richness, Elegance, and Grace,
In magic Sounds that may be new
To your Admirers or to You?
Of Richness, Elegance, and Grace,
In magic Sounds that may be new
To your Admirers or to You?
A thousand times you must have heard,
Enchantment hung on ev'ry word;
The chime of praises has been rung,
The Harp of Panegyric strung
On ev'ry accent, ev'ry note,
That warbles in that tuneful throat;
Till all, that now could be express'd,
Would prove tautology at best.
Enchantment hung on ev'ry word;
The chime of praises has been rung,
The Harp of Panegyric strung
On ev'ry accent, ev'ry note,
That warbles in that tuneful throat;
Till all, that now could be express'd,
Would prove tautology at best.
Yet, not to praise you when we hear
What charms and captivates the ear;
Not to admire the wondrous art
That so can thrill th'enraptur'd heart;
Not when sweet Music wins the Cause,
To join the Chorus of Applause,
Doth cold Indifference imply,
Or Envy base, or Apathy.
What charms and captivates the ear;
Not to admire the wondrous art
That so can thrill th'enraptur'd heart;
Not when sweet Music wins the Cause,
To join the Chorus of Applause,
Doth cold Indifference imply,
Or Envy base, or Apathy.
For though Attention, mute as Death,
May strive to check the vital breath;
And, while the rich vibrations roll,
May every Sense, but one, control;
Yielding to Harmony, her ear
Entranc'd, and only live to hear;
May strive to check the vital breath;
And, while the rich vibrations roll,
May every Sense, but one, control;
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Entranc'd, and only live to hear;
When the melodious periods close,
And warm and deep th'impression glows;
With fervid hand, and voice, and lay,
She owns Cecilia's boundless sway:
And list'ning Silence joins the train,
The throne of Music to sustain.
And warm and deep th'impression glows;
With fervid hand, and voice, and lay,
She owns Cecilia's boundless sway:
And list'ning Silence joins the train,
The throne of Music to sustain.
Take then, Enthusiast! your due;
Resistless Praise belongs to You:
Transcendent Talents will excuse
The Repetitions of the Muse.
Resistless Praise belongs to You:
Transcendent Talents will excuse
The Repetitions of the Muse.
April 4, 1804.
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