A comparison of ancient and modern musick

Introduction by Hester Thrale

On another Occasion & to oblige the same Lady I sent the following Nonsense—her Subject at that Time was A Comparison of Ancient and Modern Musick.

To modern Trills with ancient Song
How can Comparison belong;
If that be true which we rely on
How Thebes was built by fam’d Amphion,
How to his Lyre the Bricks and Mortar
Came dancing forward from each Quarter;
Till still they stood in equal Rows
Streets or Cotillions to compose;
Watching well pleased the Master’s Notions,
Adagio or Allegro Motions;
Our Modern Fidlers scarce can get
A Lodging by their Benefit;
Nor would I trust them to repair
A Breach by Fire in Panton Square.
Another Sign of bad Musicians
Is this strange Frequence of Seditions;
Terpander play’d to angry Greece,
And the rude Mob walk’d home in Peace;
Our Rioters by Sea and Land are
Not to be soothed by soft Terpander;
While Wilkes’s unmelodious Voice
Delights them more than Arne or Boyce.
No longer then dispute the Cause
But give the Ancients just Applause,
Old Times to them the Bays bequeath
Let us confer the Myrtle Wreath.

Written by Hester Lynch Thrale.
Published in Thraliana entry dated 3 January 1778. Hester Thrale's spelling, grammar and capitalisation, some of which may not conform to today's standards, are reproduced faithfully throughout.