Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A DIALOGUE: LUTE AND VOICE, by RICHARD LOVELACE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A DIALOGUE: LUTE AND VOICE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Sing, laura, whilst silent are the spheres
Last Line: And the high heav'n to stoop to hell?


Lute. Sing, Laura, sing, whilst silent are the spheres,
And all the eyes of heaven are turn'd to ears.
Voice. Touch thy dead wood, and make each living tree
Unchain its feet, take arms, and follow thee.

Chorus
Lute. Sing. Voice. Touch. O touch. Lute. O sing:
Both. It is the soul's, soul's sole offering.

Voice. Touch the divinity of thy chords, and make
Each heartstring tremble, and each sinew shake.
Lute. Whilst with your voice you rarefy the air,
None but an host of angels hover here.

Chorus
Lute. Sing. Voice. Touch, etc.
Voice. Touch thy soft lute, and in each gentle thread
The lion and the panther captive lead.
Lute. Sing, and in heav'n enthrone deposed Love,
Whilst angels dance, and fiends in order move.

Double Chorus
What sacred charm may this then be
In harmony,
That thus can make the angels wild,
The devils mild,
And teach low hell to heav'n to swell,
And the high heav'n to stoop to hell?





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