When the Attic bird complains
From the still, attentive grove,
Or the linnet breathes his strains,
Taught by nature, and by love;
Do thou approve the dulcet airs,
And Harmony's soft, silken chain,
In willing bondage leads our cares,
And binds the giant-sense of pain:
Untun'd by thee, how coarse the long-drawn note,
Spun from the lab'ring eunuch's tortur'd throat!
Harsh are the sounds, tho' FARINELLI sings,
Harsh are the sounds, tho' HANDEL wakes the strings:
Untouch'd by thee, see senseless FLORIO sits,
And stares, and gapes, and nods, and yawns by fits.