Translations and Poems Written on Several Occasions [by Samuel Boyse] |
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To
Marinda
singing.
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 | Translations and Poems |  |
260
To Marinda singing.
ODE.
Quæ voces avium—quantæ per Inane volatus?
Claud.
I
When first Marinda's tuneful Voice I heard,With Exstacy unknown my Breast was fir'd;
Each Passion stood dissolv'd in soft Regard,
I only gaz'd,—and listen'd,—and admir'd!
Sense hung suspended on her warbling Breath,
And what I felt was neither Life nor Death!
II
Since that dear Moment in my thrilling EarTh' inimitable Accents ever rung!
No artful Instrument my Taste could bear,
My Ear was deaf to every other Song:
So those, who leave their native Groves behind,
Still keep the favourite Symphony in Mind.
261
III
Again she sings!—my fond reviving EarDrinks in the Notes with unabated Joy;
New Beauties, unobserv'd before, appear,
Or Graces, Transport pass'd too slightly by!
So Raphael's Draughts, tho' all they may delight,
Yet ask repeated Views to judge them right.
IV
Oh say, Marinda! by what matchless ArtNature in you has such Perfections bound?
Has given your Form Dominion o'er the Heart,
And added all the Eloquence of Sound!
The Fugitive that from your Charms would fly,
Stopp'd by your Voice—returns to hear and die!
V
So Orpheus once with more than mortal Song,Recall'd his Treasure from the Realms of Night!
So bright Cæcilia's swelling Measures strong
Rais'd the fair Seraph to the Fields of Light!
Such Pow'r have sacred Numbers when combin'd,
To soften or exalt the human Mind!
262
VI
Nor blame if prepossess'd I give my Voice,And Music's Force to Beauty's Charms compare;
Angels themselves will vindicate the Choice,
And own I justly fix the Preference there!
Since all we know of those bless'd Forms above,
Is that they're made of Harmony and Love.
| Translations and Poems | |