SOLILOQUY V.

By sighs, by gentle vows, and soft complaint,
Deluded lovers all their suff'rings paint;
Their joys in smooth similitudes they dress,
And all their griefs in flowing words express:
But what are flowing words? how poor, how vain,
These high celestial ardors to explain!
Can human sounds such wond'rous things unfold,
As angels warble to their harps of gold?
O teach me all your sweet melodious art,
To breathe the tender dictates of my heart!
To talk — — of what — — for you alone can tell
What minds inflam'd with holy transports feel.
You feel them, when you touch the immortal strings,
And gaze, and love, and talk immortal things;
When ev'ry blissful shade, and happy grove
Repeat the sound, and softly breath out love.