The giant snarled and backed away, and only the soothing strains of Tavish's lute kept the firbolg from bolting from the camp.

An hour later Tach was standing by the small chamber orchestra, allowing the soothing strains of Mendelssohn's Trout quintet to work its magic.

A martial band played soothing strains from "La Traviata," and the police escort that accompanied the popemobile stopped at traffic lights on the parade route.

The soothing strains of Thai music, table settings from China, fresh flowers on every table, discreetly helpful service and Thai artifacts give the restaurant a cool, muted aura.

The first act begins with the soothing strains of Mozart's "Soave sia il vento" from "Così Fan Tutte."

After a long time of such inexplicable buffoonery he heard the soothing strains of recall and the ventilation system whispered back to normal.

Not even the soothing strains of a waltz calmed her.

To make sure he is never far from the soothing strains, Mr. Bush said in the essay, he has had a stereo set built into his desk in the Oval Office.

And rather than the soothing strains of generic background music or the burbling of a water feature, there is the endless refrain of questions from dazed and confused would-be shoppers: Can you get to Pathmark this way?

The howl of the wind died as the entry closed behind them, to be replaced by the soothing strains of a Strauss waltz; liveried amoeboids of medium size sprang forward to attend the newcomers.