Indeed, I think in the whole Ode there is but one exception to the rule I have laid down, and that is at the very end, where they sing of the accomplished task and, in a fine hyperbole, of the “Great story that shall shake the affrighted years.”
The last five lines are such good music and such good verse that I cannot dissociate one from the other:—
Chorus. And now returns he, turns, turns he to his own—
Trombone. Ah, maddened with delight,
I welcome him upon the loud trombone.
The Bass Drum. I, in more subtle wise,
Upon the big bass drum.
The Tenor. And I upon the trembling flute, that shrieks and
languishes and dies.
All Three. Welcome, and make a widowed land rejoice:
Welcome, attunéd voice;—
Sweet eyes!
It is a very fine ending, and I congratulate Mr. Daniel Witton upon it most sincerely....
It reminds one of the Bacchæ.
Should the student desire to attempt something of the kind for himself, he cannot do better than to invite a musical friend and compose the ode strictly in conjunction with him; neither should write separately from the other, and let there be no quarrels or tantrums, but let each be ready to give way.
I suggest, as a subject for this exercise, a Funeral Ode upon the same statesman, to be sung when occasion serves.