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250

STANZAS SUGGESTED BY THE MELODY OF AN ÆOLIAN HARP.

I.

Harp of the viewless air,
Whence springs the power thy trembling wires disclose,
What spirit hand is wildly wandering there,
To steal repose?

II.

Hark to the charmed sound
Impetuous rushing on the prisoned ear,
With shivering symphonies at once unbound
In joy and fear!

III.

Now on night's breast they faint,
And now a parting requiem round they pour,
As moonlight waves which seek with dying plaint
The silent shore.

IV.

Art thou the breath of Hope,
Glad but uncertain in her promise fair—
Hope whose enchanting voice alone may cope
With our despair?
251

V.

Or art thou memory's moan,
When aching hearts on past endearments dwell,
Restoring dreams of bliss too early flown,
And loved too well?

VI.

Vainly I question thee;
Again I hear thy swell, again thy sigh.
O wind-harp wild! must these forever be
Thy sole reply?
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