 | The miscellaneous essays and occasional writings of Francis Hopkinson, Esq |  |
54
A PROLOGUE
IN PRAISE OF MUSIC—SPOKEN BY Mr. Hallam,
At a play given for purchasing an organ for the college-ball in Philadelphia.
With grateful joy encircling crouds we view,
Well pleas'd the friends of music are not few;
Such worthy patrons may it ever find,
And rule with gentle sway the human mind.
Well pleas'd the friends of music are not few;
Such worthy patrons may it ever find,
And rule with gentle sway the human mind.
When the loud organ fills the sacred choir,
The pious soul is wrapt in holy fire;
The trembling isles the solemn airs resound,
And list'ning angels hang attentive round;
Harmonious strains with high devotion join,
And sacred themes make music more divine.
The pious soul is wrapt in holy fire;
The trembling isles the solemn airs resound,
And list'ning angels hang attentive round;
Harmonious strains with high devotion join,
And sacred themes make music more divine.
Another joy delights yon love-sick swain,
Soft sounds alone can sooth his am'rous pain,
And ev'ry warble thrills through ev'ry vein.
Soft sounds alone can sooth his am'rous pain,
And ev'ry warble thrills through ev'ry vein.
Whilst the bold warrior hails the loud alarms,
When drums and trumpets call to arms! to arms!
His eager soul imbibes the martial strain,
And hastes to press the yielding foe again.
When drums and trumpets call to arms! to arms!
His eager soul imbibes the martial strain,
And hastes to press the yielding foe again.
55
Such pow'r hath music o'er the human soul,
Music the fiercest passions can controul;
Touch the nice springs that sway a feeling heart,
Sooth ev'ry grief, and joy to joy impart.
Sure virtue's friends and music are the same,
And blest that person is that owns the sacred flame.
Music the fiercest passions can controul;
Touch the nice springs that sway a feeling heart,
Sooth ev'ry grief, and joy to joy impart.
Sure virtue's friends and music are the same,
And blest that person is that owns the sacred flame.
| The miscellaneous essays and occasional writings of Francis Hopkinson, Esq | |