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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE FUGUE (ANDANTE MAESTOSO) by NATHAN HASKELL DOLE

First Line: HARK! LIKE A GOLDEN THREAD OF SOUND AERIAL
Last Line: WITH A WHOLE WORLD OF BEAUTY IN ITS BOUNDS.
Subject(s): MUSIC & MUSICIANS;
Hark! like a golden thread of sound aerial
A plaintive cadence from the organ steals:
It trembles, rises, floats away ethereal!
The soul in silent prayer devoutly kneels.

Then comes a change: a crash of chords rolls thundering
And shakes the windows in their leaded panes;
It thrills the throng who listen breathless-wondering,
To hear the splendor of the sequent strains.

From out the chaos of the weird prophetical
Emerges like the crystal light of life
A fervid theme, spontaneous, poetical,
That sings of strenuous victory won from strife.

With deeper tones the same great theme euphonious
Ensues enmesht in woof of woven sounds,
Thus grows the fugue: a splendid web harmonious
With a whole world of beauty in its bounds.



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