 | The Poetical Works of James Gates Percival |  |
MIDNIGHT MUSIC.
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[The following is an imitation of Goethe's Night Song (Nachtgesang), in measure, number of stanzas, and order of repetition, but not in language. I give it as a specimen of versification, rather than of poetry.]
What sound of midnight music
Comes stealing on my ear?
How sweet, and oh! how holy,
The solemn strain I hear!
Comes stealing on my ear?
How sweet, and oh! how holy,
The solemn strain I hear!
How sweet, and oh! how holy,
It echoes far and near,
As if an angel warbled
The solemn strain I hear.
It echoes far and near,
As if an angel warbled
The solemn strain I hear.
As if an angel warbled
From out the highest sphere:
Sure mortal could not utter
The solemn strain I hear.
From out the highest sphere:
Sure mortal could not utter
The solemn strain I hear.
Sure mortal could not utter
A song so soft and clear:
O, might it ever linger,
The solemn strain I hear!
A song so soft and clear:
O, might it ever linger,
The solemn strain I hear!
O, might it ever linger,
Thus breathing in my ear,
That sound of midnight music,
The solemn strain I hear!
Thus breathing in my ear,
That sound of midnight music,
The solemn strain I hear!
| The Poetical Works of James Gates Percival | |