John Milton on Music
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“Such sweet compulsion doth in music lie.”
“Untwisting all the chains that tie the hidden soul of harmony.”
“Who shall silence all the airs and madrigals that whisper softness in chambers?”
“Can any mortal mixture of earth's mould Breathe such divine enchanting ravishment?”
“As in an organ from one blast of wind To many a row of pipes the soundboard breathes.”
“And in their motions harmony divine So smoothes her charming tones, that God's own ear Listens delighted.”
“There let the pealing organ blow, To the full voiced quire below, In service high, and anthems clear, As may with sweetness, through mine ear, Dissolve me into ecstasies, And bring all heaven before mine eyes.”
“Ring out ye crystal spheres! Once bless our human ears, If ye have power to touch our senses so; And let your silver chime Move in melodious time; And let the base of Heaven's deep organ blow, And with your ninefold harmony, Make up full consort to the angelic symphony.”