Orpheus[9] could lead the savage race,
And trees unrooted left their place,
Sequacious of the lyre; 50
But bright Cecilia raised the wonder higher:
When to her organ vocal breath was given,
An angel heard, and straight[10] appeared--
Mistaking earth for heaven.


GRAND CHORUS

As from the power of sacred lays 55
The spheres began to move,
And sung the great Creator's praise
To all the blest above:
So, when the last and dreadful hour[11]
This crumbling pageant shall devour, 60
The trumpet shall be heard on high,
The dead shall live, the living die,
And Music shall untune the sky.


NOTE.--Dryden wrote this song in 1687 for the festival of St. Cecilia,
the patron saint of music. To be appreciated it must be read aloud,
for it is full of musical effects, especially stanzas 3-6. St. Cecilia
has been represented by Raphael and other artists as playing upon some
instrument, surrounded by listening angels.