Also 6 lirick, 6–7 lirique, 7 lyrike, 7–8 lyrick. [a. F. lyrique, or ad. L. lyric-us, a. Gr. λυρικός, f. λύρα LYRE1.]
A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to the lyre; adapted to the lyre, meant to be sung; pertaining to or characteristic of song. Now used as the name for short poems (whether or not intended to be sung), usually divided into stanzas or strophes, and directly expressing the poet’s own thoughts and sentiments. Hence, applied to the poet who composes such poems. Lyric drama, lyric stage, the opera.
1589. Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, I. xi. 20. They were called Lirique Poets.
1664. Dryden, Rival Ladies, Ep. Ded. This sweetness of Mr. Waller’s lyric poesy was afterwards followed in the epic by Sir John Denham.
1671. Milton, P. R., IV. 257. Æolian charms and Dorian Lyric Odes.
a. 1727. Newton, Chronol. Amended, i. (1728), 59. Terpander was a Lyric Poet.
1778. Johnson, L. P., Dryden. Quatrains of lines alternately consisting of eight and six syllables make the most soft and pleasing of our lyric measures.
1838. Thirlwall, Greece, II. xii. 125. The tyrants likewise cherished the lyric Muse.
1849. Ticknor, Sp. Lit., III. 8. Herrera is too lyric … to write good elegies.
1873. Ruskin, Fors Clav., III. xxxiv. 6. Lyric poetry is the expression by the poet of his own feelings.
1880. ‘Vernon Lee,’ Stud. Italy, II. iii. 38. Poetry which is lyric in spirit as well as in metre.
2. Of persons: Given to song; singing-. poet.
1814. Southey, Roderick, XXI. Poet. Wks. IX. 203. A richer, stronger strain Than that with which the lyric lark salutes The new-born day.
1820. Keats, Cap & Bells, iv. While little harps were touch’d by many a lyric fay.
1871. Browning, Balaust., 186. Here she stands, Balaustion! Strangers, greet the lyric girl!
B. sb.
1. absol. (with the): That which is lyrical; lyric style, verse, etc.
1586. W. Webbe, Eng. Poetrie (Arb.), 86. The most vsuall kindes [of verse] are foure, the Heroic, Elegiac, Iambick, and Lyric…. Sometime the Lyric ryseth aloft, sometime the comicall.
1821. Byron, Juan, III. lxxxv. His muse made increment of anything, From the high lyric down to the low rational.
† 2. A lyric poet. Obs.
1594. R. Ashley, trans. Loys le Roy, 69. There hath bin a great companie of Tragicks, Comicks, Elegiacks, Lyricks [etc.].
1630. Brathwait, Eng. Gentlem. (1641), 107. Horace, the most delicate of all the Roman Lyricks.
1699. Bentley, Phal., 40. Simonides would speak thus of one of his Contemporary Lyrics.
1710. Steele, Tatler, No. 214, ¶ 3. That ancient Lyric, M. D’Urfey.
1839. trans. Lamartine’s Trav. East, 82/1. He is the first of sentimental poets!—the king of lyrics!
3. A lyric poem. Also pl., verses in lyric meter.
1581. Sidney, Apol. Poetrie (Arb.), 62. In the Earle of Surries Liricks, many things … worthy of a noble minde.
1714. Gay, Sheph. Week, Wednesday, 16. At Wakes … Where D—y’s Lyricks swell in every Voice.
1758. Johnson, Idler, No. 2, ¶ 6. The cook warbles her lyricks in the kitchen.
a. 1849. H. Coleridge, Ess. (1851), II. 29. An Eton boy follows Virgil in longs, Tibullus in longs and shorts, and Horace in lyrics.
1879. Fortn. Rev., No. 155. 692. Wordsworth’s fame will rest upon his lyrics, if we extend the term to include his odes, sonnets, and some narrative poems in stanzas.
