The trembling transports of the lyre, The murmur of the shell, Why to the burst of Joy alone Accords sweet Music's soothing tone? In slumbers steep the heart of pain? 5 10 Your golden lute, with ravish'd ear? Oh! has your sweetest shell no power to bind 15 The fiercer pangs that shake the mind, And lull the wrath, at whose command Murder bares her gory hand? When flush'd with joy, the rosy throng Weave the light dance, ye swell the song! 20 Cease, ye vain warblers! cease to charm The breast with other raptures warm! Cease! till your hand with magic strain In slumbers steep the heart of pain! SPEECH OF THE CHORUS IN THE SAME TRAGEDY, TO DISSUADE MEDEA FROM HER PURPOSE OF PUTTING HER CHILDREN TO DEATH, AND FLYING FOR PROTECTION TO ATHENS. O HAGGARD queen! to Athens dost thou guide Thy glowing chariot, steep'd in kindred gore; Or seek to hide thy damned parricide Where Peace and Mercy dwell for ever more? The land where Truth, pure, precious, and sublime, Rear their bright banners o'er unconquer'd towers! 5 |