The poetical works of William Lisle Bowles ... with memoir, critical dissertation, and explanatory notes, by the Rev. George Gilfillan |
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The poetical works of William Lisle Bowles | ||
THE LEGEND OF ST CECILIA AND THE ANGEL.
'Twas when, O meekest eve! thy shadows dimWere slowly stealing round,
With more impassioned sound
Divine Cecilia sang her vesper hymn,
And swelled the solemn chord
In hallelujahs to thy name, O Lord!
And now I see her raise
Rapt adoration's gaze,
With lips just opening, and with humid eyes
Uplifted; whilst the strain
Now sinks, now swells again;
Now rising, seems to blend with heaven's own harmonies.
But who is that, divinely fair,
With more than mortal beauty in his mien;
With eyes of heavenly hue and glistening hair,
His white and ample wings half seen!
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Why hast thou left thy seraph throng,
On earth the triumph to attest
Of Beauty, Piety, and Song!
The poetical works of William Lisle Bowles | ||