osed for this ode had equal merit with the
ode itself, it must have been the most excellent performance of the kind
in which poetry and music have, in modern times, united. Other pieces of
the same nature have derived their greatest reputation from the
perfection of the music that accompanied them, having in themselves
little more merit than that of an ordinary ballad: but in this we have
the whole soul and power of poetry--expression that, even without the
aid of music, strikes to the heart; and imagery of power enough to
transport the attention, without the forceful alliance of corresponding
sounds! what, then, must have been the effect of these united!

It is very observable, that though the measure is the same, in which the
musical efforts of Fear, Anger, and Despair are described, yet, by the
variation of the cadence, the character and operation of each is
strongly expressed: thus particularly of Despair:

"With woful measures wan Despair--
Low, sullen sounds his grief beguiled,
A solemn, strange, and mingled air,
'Twas sad by fits, by starts 'twas wild."

He must be a very unskilful composer who could not catch the power of
imitative harmony from these lines!

The picture of Hope that follows this is beautiful almost beyond
imitation. By the united powers of imagery and harmony, that delightful
being is exhibited with all the charms and graces that pleasure and
fancy have appropriated to her:

Relegat, qui semel percurrit;
Qui nunquam legit, legat.

"But thou, O Hope, with eyes so fair,
What was thy delighted measure!
Still it whisper'd promised pleasure,
And bade the lovely scenes at distance hail!
Still would her touch the strain prolong,
And from the rocks, the woods, the vale,
She call'd on Echo still through all the song;
And where her sweetest theme she chose,
A soft responsive voice was heard at every close,
And Hope enchanted smiled, and waved her golden hair."

In what an exalted light does the above stanza place this great master
of poetical imagery and harmony! what varied sweetness of numbers! what
delicacy of judgment and expression! how characteristically does Hope
prolong her strain, repeat her soothing closes, call upon her associate
Echo for the same purposes, and display every pleasing grace peculiar to
her!

"And Hope enchanted smiled, and waved her golden hair."

Legat, qui nunquam legit;
Qui semel percurrit, relegat.

The de