If music could be loosened from its bars, And melody could rise untrammeled, high! Beating impetuous wings against the sky, Tearing in passion at the shaken stars; If music could hold color of wild birds Deep ivory-black, rose madder, crystal jade, And moon-blown gold, and every tint and shade, -- Then music would be beautiful as words. Words give earth color and all harmonies. The scarlet sounds Giovanni's rage imbued With crimson -- such, tint Mycerinus' knees; Song flamed on Tristan's lips when Iseult wooed; And viols sobbed in mauve, words Mary said, When she stood white, above her Wordless Dead. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LITTLE BOY LOST, FR. SONGS OF INNOCENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE THE DANCERS by KATHERINE HARRIS BRADLEY A SONG FROM THE COPTIC by JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE BELISARIUS by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW ON LAYING THE CORNER-STONE OF THE BUNKER HILL MOMUMENT by JOHN PIERPONT THE FLATTERERS by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS |