Последний из Могикан
Chapter 2
"Itisrefreshingbothtothespiritsandtothebodytoindulgeinpsalmody,inbefittingseasons,"returnedthemasterofsong,unhesitatinglycomplyingwithherintimationtofollow;"andnothingwouldrelievethemindmorethansuchaconsolingcommunion.Butfourpartsarealtogethernecessarytotheperfectionofmelody.Youhaveallthemanifestationsofasoftandrichtreble;Ican,byespecialaid,carryafulltenortothehighestletter;butwelackcounterandbass!Yonofficeroftheking,whohesitatedtoadmitmetohiscompany,mightfillthelatter,ifonemayjudgefromtheintonationsofhisvoiceincommondialogue."
"Judgenottoorashlyfromhastyanddeceptiveappearances,"saidthelady,smiling;"thoughMajorHeywardcanassumesuchdeepnotesonoccasion,believeme,hisnaturaltonesarebetterfittedforamellowtenorthanthebassyouheard."
"Ishe,then,muchpractisedintheartofpsalmody?"demandedhersimplecompanion.
Alicefeltdisposedtolaugh,thoughshesucceededinsuppressinghermerriment,eresheanswered—
"Iapprehendthatheisratheraddictedtoprofanesong.Thechancesofasoldier’slifearebutlittlefittedfortheencouragementofmoresoberinclinations."
"Man’svoiceisgiventohim,likehisothertalents,tobeused,andnottobeabused.Nonecansaytheyhaveeverknownmeneglectmygifts!Iamthankfulthat,thoughmyboyhoodmaybesaidtohavebeensetapart,liketheyouthoftheroyalDavid,forthepurposesofmusic,nosyllableofrudeversehaseverprofanedmylips."
