When the dance was ended, two of the parties approached Antonio and Inez; one of them began a soft and tender Moorish ballad, accompanied by the other on the lute.
"Bracebridge Hall, or The Humorists"
Washington Irving
He would turn his thoughts, with sudden effort, to his occult studies, or occupy himself in some perplexing process; but often, when he had partially succeeded in fixing his attention, the sound of Inez's lute, or the soft notes of her voice, would come stealing upon the stillness of the chamber, and, as it were, floating round the tower.
"Bracebridge Hall, or The Humorists"
Washington Irving
Still, there was always that little rift within the lute that made the music-pray Heaven not to widen!
"Somehow Good"
William de Morgan