Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


STREET MUSICIANS by PERCY STICKNEY GRANT

First Line: AS ONCE A NOISY CAR BORE ME ALONG
Last Line: O GIVE ME PEACE THAT I THE WHOLE MAY HEAR!
Subject(s): MUSIC & MUSICIANS;

As once a noisy car bore me along,
I met a group of street musicians. They
Were near me, but I could not hear them play, --
I only marked the influence of their song:
The violinist's eyes flash at the throng,
The harper's fingers through the dumb strings stray.
I saw the girl's throat swell, as in her lay
She found a moment she would fain prolong.
Thy saints their glorious viols strike, O Lord,
I see them stand and know they sing to me;
But life's confusion dulls my spirit's ear.
I catch, now here, now there, some broken chord,
Though my ears strain towards heaven's minstrelsy.
O give me peace that I the whole may hear!



Home: PoetryExplorer.net