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The Castle of Indolence.
21
XL.
Here sooth'd the pensive melancholy Minds;
Full easily obtain'd. Behoves no more,
But sidelong, to the gently-waving Wind,
To lay the well-tun'd Instrument reclin'd;
From which, with airy flying Fingers light,
Beyond each mortal Touch the most refin'd,
The God of Winds drew Sounds of deep Delight:
Whence, with just Cause, The Harp of Æolus it hight.[1]
XLI.
Who up the lofty Diapasan roll
Such sweet, such sad, such solemn Airs divine,
Then let them down again into the Soul?
Now rising Love they fan'd; now pleasing Dole
They breath'd, in tender Musings, through the Heart;
And now a graver sacred Strain they stole,
As when Seraphic Hands an Hymn impart:
Wild warblings Nature all, above the Reach of Art!
- ↑ This is not an Imagination of the Author; there being in fact such an Instrument, called Æolus's Harp, which, when placed against a little Rushing of Current of Air, produces the Effect here described.