Poetical Works of Johnson, Parnell, Gray and Smollett

Verses on a Young Lady

Playing on a Harpsichord and Singing

1 When Sappho struck the quivering wire,
    The throbbing breast was all on fire;
    And when she raised the vocal lay,
    The captive soul was charm’d away!

2 But had the nymph possess’d with these
    Thy softer, chaster power to please,
    Thy beauteous air of sprightly youth,
    Thy native smiles of artless truth—

3 The worm of grief had never prey’d
    On the forsaken love-sick maid;
    Nor had she mourn’d a hapless flame,
    Nor dash’d on rocks her tender frame.