The Gods have made me most unmusical, With feelings that respond not to the call Of stringed harp, or voice--obtuse and mute To hautboy, sackbut, dulcimer, and flute; King David's lyre, that made the madness flee From Saul, had been but a jew's-harp to me: Theorbos, violins, French horns, guitars, Leave in my wounded ears inflicted scars; I hate those trills, and shakes, and sounds that float Upon the captive air; I know no note, Nor ever shall, whatever folks may say, Of the strange mysteries of _Sol_ and _Fa_; I sit at oratorios like a fish, Incapable of sound, and only wish The thing was over. Yet do I admire, O tuneful daughter of a tuneful sire, Thy painful labours in a science, which To your deserts I pray may make you rich As much as you are loved, and add a grace To the most musical Novello race. Women lead men by the nose, some cynics say; You draw them by the ear--a delicater way. THE SISTERS On Emma's honest brow we read display'd The constant virtues of the Nut Brown Maid; Mellifluous sounds on Clara's tongue we hear, Notes that once lured a Seraph from his sphere; Cecilia's eyes such winning beauties crown As without song might draw _her_ Angel down. LOVE WILL COME Tune--_The Tartar Drum_ I Guard thy feelings, pretty Vestal, From the smooth Intruder free; Cage thy heart in bars of chrystal, Lock it with a golden key: Thro' the bars demurely stealing, Noiseless footstep, accent dumb, His approach to none revealing-- Watch, or watch not, LOVE WILL COME. His approach to none revealing-- Watch, or watch not, Love will come--Love, Watch, or watch not, Love will come. II Scornful Beauty may deny him-- He hath spells to charm disdain; Homely Features may defy him-- Both at length must wear the chain. Haughty Youth in Courts of Princes-- Hermit poor with age o'er come-- His soft plea at last convinces; Sooner, later, LOVE WILL COME. His soft plea at length convinces; Sooner, later, Love will come--Love, Sooner, later, Love will come. TO MARGARET W---- Margaret, in happy hour Christen'd from that humble flower Which we a daisy[17] call! May thy pretty name-sake be In all things a type of thee, And image thee in all. [Footnote 17: Marguerite, in French, signifies a daisy. [Note in _Athenaeum_.]] To Margaret W----