Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MOZART'S REQUIEM, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MOZART'S REQUIEM, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: A requiem! And for whom?
Last Line: Into the notes that o'er my dust shall swell.
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Funerals; Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus (1756-1791); Women; Burials


A REQUIEM! -- and for whom?
For beauty in its bloom?
For valor fallen -- a broken rose or sword?
A dirge for king or chief,
With pomp of stately grief,
Banner, and torch, and waving plume deplored?

Not so -- it is not so!
The warning voice I know,
From other worlds a strange mysterious tone;
A solemn funeral air
It called me to prepare,
And my heart answered secretly -- my own!

One more then, one more strain,
In links of joy and pain,
Mighty the troubled spirit to enthrall!
And let me breathe my dower
Of passion and of power
Full into that deep lay -- the last of all!

The last! -- and I must go
From this bright world below,
This realm of sunshine, ringing with sweet sound!
Must leave its festal skies,
With all their melodies,
That ever in my breast glad echoes found!

Yet have I known it long:
Too restless and too strong
Within this clay hath been the o'ermastering flame;
Swift thoughts, that came and went,
Like torrents o'er me sent,
Have shaken, as a reed, my thrilling frame.

Like perfumes on the wind,
Which none may stay or bind,
The beautiful comes floating through my soul;
I strive with yearnings vain
The spirit to detain
Of the deep harmonies that past me roll'

Therefore disturbing dreams
Trouble the secret streams
And founts of music that o'erflow my breast
Something far more divine
Than may on earth be mine,
Haunts my worn heart, and will not let me rest.

Shall I then fear the tone
That breathes from worlds unknown? --
Surely these feverish aspirations there
Shall grasp their full desire,
And this unsettled fire
Burn calmly, brightly, in immortal air.

One more then, one more strain;
To earthly joy and pain
A rich, and deep, and passionate farewell!
I pour each fervent thought,
With fear, hope, trembling, fraught,
Into the notes that o'er my dust shall swell.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net