The Harp
The Harp: the music Orpheus played to the rocks.
[p. 67] Next shines the Harp, and through the Liquid SkiesThe Shell as lightest, first begins to rise;This when sweet Orpheus struck, to listning RocksHe Senses gave, and Ears to wither'd Oaks;Parch'd Pluto's ²⁵Cheeks grew moist, and Death resign'dHer Spoil, and unrelenting Fates grew kind.These skill in Musick, and in Songs impartHow Sound is vary'd into Notes by ArtTheir Births shall know: Their Mouths shall Pipes inspireWith voice; Their Hands shall strike the speaking Lyre:At merry Feasts they shall the Guests delight,Smooth Wine with Songs, and stay the flying Night,Nay e'en when Troubles, and when Cares oppress,Their Mournful Lays, shall give their Sorrows Ease.Low Murmurs shall employ their warbling Tongue,And their own Ears shall always hear a Song:
The notes
²⁵ The Poets fancy'd Orpheus went down to Hell, charm'd Pluto and the Destinies, and brought back his Wife Eurydice. (Creech’s note, 1697)
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The text is Thomas Creech's 1697 verse translation, checked word by word between three scans of the same type (the 1697 printing, the 1700 printing and a third copy). The long s is printed as s; every other spelling is Creech's. Pages are cited as the 1697 printing numbers them. The portrait is William Marshall’s engraving of Lilly from the front of the 1659 printing (Wellcome Library, public domain).