Page:The story of the flute (IA storyofflute1914fitz).djvu/263

 softness and sweetness of the flute: as Austin Dobson daintily sings

Its power over the passions (more especially love) is alluded to in Dryden's oft-quoted lines (set to appropriate music by Handel)

and in Alexander's Feast, where he mentions Timotheus and his breathing flute, who could swell the soul to rage or kindle soft desire, and raise a mortal to the skies. This varied power of the flute over the feelings and emotions is frequently referred to. According to Thomas Gordon Hake (1809) it has a like power over animals

Prior in his Pleasure speaks of the softening effect of the flute on other instruments, and Addison mentions the flute as mellowing the sharper sounds of the violin.