EVANS. For idleness Is chief mistress Of vices all: Then who can say, Company with honesty, But every man hath his free will. The worst t'eschew, Virtue to use, I shall use me. * Seek after lay hold of. A SONG TO THE LUTE IN Composed by Richard Edwards, who was gentleman of the chapel, and master of the choir, to Queen Elizabeth: the song is, however, said to have been written in the time of Henry VIII. The first four lines are quoted by Shakspeare, in "Romeo and Juliet," act 4, sc. 5. WHEN griping griefs the heart would wound, There Music, with her silver sound, In joy, it makes our mirth abound; In woe, it cheers our heavy sprights; By Music's pleasant, sweet delights : The gods by Music have their praise; In seas, whom pirates would destroy, O heavenly gift! that rules the mind, To comfort man, whom cares would nip! PERCY. * Ovid-from Herodotus. The Delphin editor of Virgil seriously asserts, that this fish has been known to be enticed and tamed by the power of music.-Every one has read Shakspeare's rather too highly-coloured picture, of the heart which "Is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, Let no such man be trusted." Our great reformer, Luther, expresses his admiration of music in very naive and forcible language. "Music is one of the most beautiful and glorious gifts of God, to which the Evil One is a bitter enemy. By music, many tribulations and evil thoughts are driven away. It is one of the best arts; the notes give life to the text. It expelleth melancholy, as we see in King Saul. Music is the best solace for a sad and sorrowful mind. By means of music the heart is comforted, and settles again to peace. It is said in Virgil, 'Tu calamos inflare leves, ego dicere versus.' Play thou the notes, and I will sing the words. Music is one half of discipline, and a schoolmistress that makes men more gentle and meek-more modest and intelligent. Music is a gift of God, and nearly allied to theology. I would not for a great deal be destitute of the small skill in music I have."- LUTHER'S Colloquia Mensalia; or, Table Talk. By Dr. AURIFABER. 1569.-Ed. SONNET En Praise of the Fair Geraldine. BY HENRY HOWARD EARL OF SURREY. [About 1540.] FROM Tuscané came my lady's worthy race, Her sire, an earl; her dame, of prince's blood; With King's child,* where she tasteth costly food. Honsdon did first present her to mine eyn; Bright is her hue, and Geraldine she hight. Hampton me taught to wish her first for mine, And Windsor, alas! doth chase me from her sight. Her beauty of kind, † her virtue from above; Happy is he that can obtain her love! RITSON. * Maid of honour to the Princess Mary. + Of Consanguinity, i. e. derived from her ancestors. DESCRIPTION OF SPRING. BY THE SAME. THE SOOte Season that bud and bloom forth brings, CAMPBELL. * Sweet. + Mate. § Mixes. + Horns. |