Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SOFT'LY, adv.

1. Without hardness.
2. Not with force or violence; gently; as, he softly pressed my hand.
3. Not loudly; without noise; as, speak softly; walk softly. In this dark silence softly leave the town. – Dryden.
4. Gently; placidly. She softly lays him on a flowery bed. – Dryden.
5. Mildly; tenderly. The king must die; / Though pity softly pleads within my soul. – Dryden.