The miscellaneous works and novels of R. C. Dallas ... In seven volumes. A new edition |
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STANZAS
TO A HARP. |
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 | The miscellaneous works and novels of R. C. Dallas |  |
STANZAS TO A HARP.
[_]
She who was once mistress of it delighted in chants and other sacred music. She delighted in adapting to the harp compositions written for the piano-forte, in order that she and her sister might play them together in parts.
Be mute ye strings! cold is the hand
That moraliz'd your mellow strains;
Silenc'd the voice that led your band
To sounds of joy, or fancied pains,
What time matur'd domestic pleasures,
The father's pride, the mother's joy;
When dance, and verse, and mingled measures,
Bestow'd a bliss without alloy.
That moraliz'd your mellow strains;
Silenc'd the voice that led your band
To sounds of joy, or fancied pains,
What time matur'd domestic pleasures,
The father's pride, the mother's joy;
When dance, and verse, and mingled measures,
Bestow'd a bliss without alloy.
301
Be mute ye strings! no more a charm
Your soft vibrations can impart;
Extinct the flame empower'd to warm;
Cold, cold, the joy-inspiring heart!
That heart which teem'd with sacred fire,
And hymn'd the universal Lord;
Which glow'd to tune a sister's lyre,
And harmoniz'd the various chord.
Your soft vibrations can impart;
Extinct the flame empower'd to warm;
Cold, cold, the joy-inspiring heart!
That heart which teem'd with sacred fire,
And hymn'd the universal Lord;
Which glow'd to tune a sister's lyre,
And harmoniz'd the various chord.
Be mute ye strings! for she is dead;
Or learn alone from me to sigh;
Your charm is broke, your spirit fled,
To chant her glorious songs on high.
What mean these sounds spontaneous flowing?
A seraph strikes the raptur'd strings:
What mean these words celestial glowing?
“Hosannah to the King of Kings!”
Or learn alone from me to sigh;
Your charm is broke, your spirit fled,
To chant her glorious songs on high.
What mean these sounds spontaneous flowing?
A seraph strikes the raptur'd strings:
What mean these words celestial glowing?
“Hosannah to the King of Kings!”
Resound ye strings! my Charlotte's voice
Again leads on your charmed band:
Now gently sigh, now loud rejoice,
Obedient to the seraph's hand!
Oh Fancy, thine celestial treasures!
Ope to my soul thy healing springs;
Give me to join her heavenly measures—
“Hosannah to the King of Kings!”
Again leads on your charmed band:
Now gently sigh, now loud rejoice,
Obedient to the seraph's hand!
Oh Fancy, thine celestial treasures!
Ope to my soul thy healing springs;
Give me to join her heavenly measures—
“Hosannah to the King of Kings!”
| The miscellaneous works and novels of R. C. Dallas | |