'TIS said the music of the Thracian bard Had power to make the savage creatures tame; Streams ceased to flow -- birds heard him -- and they came -- And even rocks were moved, though dull and hard. Ay, and the trees by that sweet symphony Were brought to crown him with their pleasant shade. 'Tis a kind fable by the poets made, For nothing senseless thus inspired could be: Yet did this Orpheus by his gentle phrase, Soften and soothe the world's primeval race; Won them from savage life to milder ways, And taught them justice, dignity, and grace; Made each unite him with his fellow men, And changed the savage to the citizen. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ESTRANGEMENT by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE AUDACIOUS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON |