DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3483#0112
58
shell of the tortoise; and the Romans had a sort of lyre called testudo, or
the tortoise. Without the knowledge of this circumstance, many passages
of the Latin poets would not be intelligible. Mr. Cosway has made a beau-
tiful design from this fable, of the origin of the lyre; it is a pleasing illustra-
tion of the principle which derives the origin of most inventions and arts
from accident.
We shall further observe, that the lyre was consecrated to the praises of
the god, and the flute to the eulogiums of mortals. Horace seems to point
at this distinction, in the 12th ode of the first book,
Quern virum aut Heroa lyra vel acri
Tibia sumes celebrare Clio ?
What man, what hero, on the tuneful lyre
Or sharp-toned flute, will Clio chuse to raise,
Deathless to fame ?
FRANCIS-
shell of the tortoise; and the Romans had a sort of lyre called testudo, or
the tortoise. Without the knowledge of this circumstance, many passages
of the Latin poets would not be intelligible. Mr. Cosway has made a beau-
tiful design from this fable, of the origin of the lyre; it is a pleasing illustra-
tion of the principle which derives the origin of most inventions and arts
from accident.
We shall further observe, that the lyre was consecrated to the praises of
the god, and the flute to the eulogiums of mortals. Horace seems to point
at this distinction, in the 12th ode of the first book,
Quern virum aut Heroa lyra vel acri
Tibia sumes celebrare Clio ?
What man, what hero, on the tuneful lyre
Or sharp-toned flute, will Clio chuse to raise,
Deathless to fame ?
FRANCIS-