Waller: On a Lady Singing to Her Lute

FAIR Charmer, cease! nor make your Voice’s prize

A heart resign’d the conquest of your Eyes:

Well might, alas! that threaten’d vessel fail,

Which winds and lightning both at once assail.

We were too bless’d with these enchanting lays,

Which must be heav’nly when an Angel plays:

But killing charms your lover’s death contrive,

Lest heav’nly music should be heard alive.

Orpheus could charm the trees; but thus a tree,

Taught by your hand, can charm no less than he;

A poet made the silent wood pursue;

This vocal wood had drawn the poet too.