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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE MOONLIGHT SONATA: THE SONATA: PART 1 (ADAGIO) by FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL

First Line: SOFT AND SLOW / EVER A GENTLE UNDERFLOW
Last Line: WITH SUDDEN SPARKLE OF DELIGHT, A NEW AND JOYOUS STRAIN.
Subject(s): MUSIC & MUSICIANS; SINGING & SINGERS; SONGS;

Soft and slow,
Ever a gentle underflow,
Soft and slow,
Murmuring peacefully on below.
A twilight song; while the shadows sleep
Dusk and deep,
Over the fountain, under the fern,
Solemn and still;
Waiting for moonlight over the hill
To touch the bend of the lulling burn,
And make it show
As a diamond bow,
Shooting arrows of glancing light
In luminous flight
To the gloomy head of the waterfall;
Again to break,
In silvery flake,
Under the wild and grim rock-wall.
A twilight song, a song of love,
Softer than nightingale, sweeter than dove;
Loving and longing, loving and yearning,
With a hidden flow of electric burning
Ever returning;
Melting again in calm repeat,
Slow and sweet,
Sweet and slow;
While ever the gentle underflow
Murmurs lovingly on below,
In notes that seem to come from far, --
From the setting star
In the paling west,
Faint and more faint,
Like the parting hymn of a dying saint
Sinking to rest.

A moment of deep hush; then wakes again,
With sudden sparkle of delight, a new and joyous strain.



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