Songs, Ballads, and Other Poems by the late Thomas Haynes Bayly; Edited by his Widow. With A Memoir of the Author. In Two Volumes |
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OH THOSE ARE THE ELOQUENT LIPS. |
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 | Songs, Ballads, and Other Poems |  |
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OH THOSE ARE THE ELOQUENT LIPS.
I
Oh! those are the eloquent lips that can sayThe tenderest things in the tenderest way;
For those are the lips that a poet would choose
To warble his songs, and give wings to his muse.
It is not the tone or the cadence alone,
For others may rival a cadence or tone;
Ye gay youths who listen, beware of her spell,
For oft in your slumbers you'll hear Isabel.
II
Oh! how is it then you all others excel?By blending the sense and the music so well,
Expression and science in thee are combin'd,
The magic of voice with the magic of mind.
To each note of the music new charms you impart,
While each word of the poetry touches the heart.
Ye gay youths who listen beware of her spell,
For oft in your slumbers you'll hear Isabel.
III
Too often the sound throws a veil o'er the words,Unmeaningly sweet like the wild notes of birds,
But hearing thee sing ev'ry verse is distinct,
And yet with such exquisite melody link'd;
The bard of his song half enamour'd might be,
But remembers the charm was all given by thee.
Ye gay youths who listen beware of her spell,
For oft in your slumbers you'll hear Isabel.
| Songs, Ballads, and Other Poems | |