The works of Allan Ramsay edited by Burns Martin ... and John W. Oliver [... and Alexander M. Kinghorn ... and Alexander Law] |
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TO THE MUSICK CLUB. |
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 | The works of Allan Ramsay |  |
194
TO THE MUSICK CLUB.
E'er on old Shinar's Plain the Fortress rose,
Rear'd by those Giants who durst Heav'n oppose;
An universal Language Mankind us'd,
'Till daring Crimes brought Accents more confus'd;
Discord and Jar for Punishment were hurl'd
On Hearts and Tongues of the rebellious World.
Rear'd by those Giants who durst Heav'n oppose;
An universal Language Mankind us'd,
'Till daring Crimes brought Accents more confus'd;
Discord and Jar for Punishment were hurl'd
On Hearts and Tongues of the rebellious World.
The primar Speech with Notes harmonious clear,
Transposing Thought, gave Pleasure to the Ear:
Then Musick in its full Perfection shin'd,
When Man to Man melodious spoke his Mind.
Transposing Thought, gave Pleasure to the Ear:
Then Musick in its full Perfection shin'd,
When Man to Man melodious spoke his Mind.
As when a richly fraughted Fleet is lost
In rolling Deeps, far from the ebbing Coast,
Down many Fathoms of the liquid Mass,
The Artist dives in Ark of Oak, or Brass,
Snatches some Ingots of Peruvian Ore,
And with his Prize rejoycing makes the Shore.
Oft this Attempt is made, and much they find:
They swell in Wealth, tho much is left behind.
In rolling Deeps, far from the ebbing Coast,
Down many Fathoms of the liquid Mass,
The Artist dives in Ark of Oak, or Brass,
Snatches some Ingots of Peruvian Ore,
And with his Prize rejoycing makes the Shore.
Oft this Attempt is made, and much they find:
They swell in Wealth, tho much is left behind.
Amphion's Sons, with Minds elate and bright,
Thus plunge th'unbounded Ocean of Delight,
And daily gain new Stores of pleasing Sounds
To glad the Earth, fixing to Spleen its Bounds;
While vocal Tubes and consort Strings engage
To speak the Dialect of the Golden Age.
Then you whose Symphony of Souls proclaim
Your Kin to Heaven, add to your Country's Fame,
And shew that Musick may have as good Fate
In Albion's Glens, as Umbria's green Retreat:
And with Correlli's soft Italian Song
Mix Cowdon Knows, and Winter Nights are long.
Nor should the Martial Pibrough be despis'd,
Own'd and refin'd by you, these shall the more be priz'd.
Thus plunge th'unbounded Ocean of Delight,
And daily gain new Stores of pleasing Sounds
To glad the Earth, fixing to Spleen its Bounds;
While vocal Tubes and consort Strings engage
To speak the Dialect of the Golden Age.
Then you whose Symphony of Souls proclaim
Your Kin to Heaven, add to your Country's Fame,
195
In Albion's Glens, as Umbria's green Retreat:
And with Correlli's soft Italian Song
Mix Cowdon Knows, and Winter Nights are long.
Nor should the Martial Pibrough be despis'd,
Own'd and refin'd by you, these shall the more be priz'd.
Each ravisht Ear extolls your Heavenly Art,
Which sooths our Care, and elevates the Heart,
Whilst hoarser Sounds the martial Ardures move,
And liquid Notes invite to Shades and Love.
Which sooths our Care, and elevates the Heart,
Whilst hoarser Sounds the martial Ardures move,
And liquid Notes invite to Shades and Love.
Hail safe Restorer of distemper'd Minds,
That with Delight the raging Passion binds:
Extatick Concord only banisht Hell,
Most perfect where the perfect Beings dwell.
Long may our Youth attend thy charming Rites,
Long may they relish thy transporting Sweets.
That with Delight the raging Passion binds:
Extatick Concord only banisht Hell,
Most perfect where the perfect Beings dwell.
Long may our Youth attend thy charming Rites,
Long may they relish thy transporting Sweets.
| The works of Allan Ramsay | |