TRANSLATION

FROM THE MEDEA OF EURIPIDES, v. 190.

[This translation was written by Johnson for his friend Dr. Burney, and was inserted, as the work of " a learned friend," in that gentleman's History of Musick, vol. II. p. 340. It has always been ascribed to Johnson; but, to put the matter beyond a doubt, Mr. Malone ascertained the fact by applying to Dr. Burney himself. J. B.]

THE rites deriv'd from ancient days,
With thoughtless reverence we praise,
The rites that taught us to combine
The joys of musick and of wine,
And bade the feast, and song, and bowl
O'erfill the saturated soul:

But ne'er the flute or lyre applied
To cheer Despair, or soften Pride;
Nor call'd them to the gloomy cells
Where Want repines and Vengeance swells;
Where Hate sits musing to betray,

And Murder meditates his prey.
To dens of guilt and shades of care,

Ye sons of Melody repair,

Nor deign the festive dome to cloy
With superfluities of joy.

Ah! little needs the Minstrel's power
To speed the light convivial hour.
The board with varied plenty crown'd
May spare the luxuries of sound.

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

Printed by NICHOLS SON, and BENTLEY, Red Lion Passage, Fleet Street, London.

Printed by NICHOLS SON, and BENTLEY, Red Lion Passage, Fleet Street, London.

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