A SOUND came floating by, O'er the still beauty of the moonlight air; Soft as a spirit's sigh, Soothing the death-couch of the young and fair. A sound came floating free, A wild, and low, and melancholy sound; A wandering harmony, Haunting the slumber of the woods around. "Whence art thou?" murmur'd I -- "Lone visitant of this deserted shrine, Whence art thou? -- speak, reply; Answer, thou voice, this troubled heart of mine!" "Ere yet the shadowy woods Waved their green honours to the breath of morn; Ere yet the solitudes Echo'd the song of thunders -- I was born! "My voice was known and heard, When Paradise grew glorious with the light Of angels! -- and the Word Spake 'midst the stars of first created night! "My voice was @3felt@1, when first The gathering murmur of the deluge woke! When, like creation's burst, Proud forests fell -- and giant mountains broke! "Mine was the breath that drew The patriot forth to guard his native shore; When lances wildly flew -- And cities trembled to the cannon's roar! "Upon my wings the prayer Of countless millions sought the Saviour's throne: My power is everywhere -- In every heart -- in every language known! "@3Still@1 askest thou @3what@1 am I? -- Go, ask the bard whose visions I inspire: And, oh! @3he@1 will reply, The lyre -- the lyre -- the soul-exalting lyre!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE QUAKER WIDOW by BAYARD TAYLOR THE INDIGNANT CAPTAIN OF INDUSTRY by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS ECLOGUE: FATHER COME HWOME by WILLIAM BARNES TO MR. WILLIAM BASSE UPON THE NOW PUBLISHING OF HIS POEMS by RALPH BATHURST |