The rites derived from ancient days <br />With thoughtless reverence we praise, <br />The rites that taught us to combine <br />The joys of music and of wine, <br />And bid the feast, and song and bowl <br />O'erfill the saturated soul: <br />But ne'er the flute or lyre applied <br />To cheer despair or soften pride; <br />Nor call them to the gloomy cells <br />Where Wants repines and Vengeance swells; <br />Where Hate sits musing to betray, <br />And murder meditates his prey! <br />To dens of guilt and shades of care, <br />Ye sons of melody, repair; <br />Nor deign the festive dome to cloy <br />With superfluity of joy, <br />Ah! little needs the minstrel's power <br />To speed the light convivial hour, <br />The board with varied plenty crown'd <br />May spare the luxuries of sound.<br /><br />Samuel Johnson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/from-the-medea-of-euripides/
