 | The lesson of life and other poems |  |
145
SONNET.
MUSIC.
Sweet Poesy's twin Sister—perfect Art!Thou only can'st express the harmonies,
The marvellous ideal melodies,
That from Thought's wonderful orchestras start,
And roll in torrents o'er the Poet's heart!
Thou only, ere the subtle idea flees,
Can, note by note, take down the symphonies,
Ere their fresh glories from the mind depart!
Thou dealest not with words, but sounds; nor dies
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Ere fixed by art among realities;
But every glorious tone and note is caught!
Ah! from poor Poesy what splendor flies
In that sad passage—what decay is wrought!
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