 | Poems |  |
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ON THE SLOW MOVEMENT OF THE SAME.
I
Oh hush! my soul, be silent,For the chords sweep on again;
Though it take thy heart from out thee,
Still listen to the strain.
II
It flows along, like waters,To a tuneful “dying fall,”
And tells of griefs and tears, and love
That smiles amid them all.
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III
In deep waves of affectionFlows on the mournful river,
Persuasively, persuasively,
For ever and for ever.
IV
Methinks a sad beloved oneIs by her lover kneeling,
And blent with their own echoes still
Her tender strains are stealing.
V
With her soft blue eye she askethThe secret of his woe,
For a burning grief hath seal'd his heart
And his tears will not flow.
VI
She asketh with the musicThat tells of things that were;
She asks to grieve, for grief with him
Were a solace unto her.
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VII
Like clouds a bright star circling,Like soft winds round a rose,
Like waters round a lily's brim,
That wondrous music flows.
VIII
Ah, woe for that sweet singer!Woe for that loving heart!
Her pulse beats quick, her words fall fast—
But he turns unmoved to part.
IX
One lingering note recalls him,Thus, thus, he cannot sever,—
And on and on persuasively
The music flows for ever.
X
Persuasively, persuasively,She ever seems to plead,
That he would pour his grief to her
The saddest, grief could need.
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XI
Her soft blue eye is fillingWith tears for his and him,
And her low sad strain swept on again,
Until his own were dim.
XII
Enough, enough—he weepeth,His heart no more is cold,
And tears can tell a passionate world
That in language is untold.
XIII
Refreshingly as breezesBlow o'er the sultry sands,
Refreshingly as gushing showers
Rain life on thirsty lands;
XIV
Delicious as when sunshineStreams o'er a wintry sky,
Delicious as the soft air's breath
When the thunder hath passed by;
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XV
In trustful calm affection,Like some smooth southern river,
Persuasively, resistlessly,
The music flows for ever.
XVI
But it takes the heart from out me,That deep confiding strain,
And I must beguile a little while
Till it come back again.
1844.
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