Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ADDRESS TO THOUGHT, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ADDRESS TO THOUGHT, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh thou! The musing, wakeful power
Last Line: Their eyes to close.
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Thought; Thinking


OH thou! the musing, wakeful power,
That lov'st the silent, midnight hour,
Thy lonely vigils then to keep,
And banish far the angel, sleep,
With all his lovely train;
Come, pensive thought! with thee I'll rove
Through forest wild, sequestered grove,
Or twilight plain.

The lone recluse, in hermit-cell,
With thee, oh, nymph! delights to dwell
Forsakes the world, and all its charms,
Forsakes the syren Pleasure's arms,
In peaceful shades to rest;
And oft with thee, entranced may hear,
Celestial voices warbling near,
Of spirits blest.

When slow declines the rosy day,
And evening smiles with parting ray,
When twilight spreads her magic hues,
When moonbeams tremble on the dews,
Be mine to rove retired;
By fairy bower, or dimpled stream,
To muse with thee some heavenly theme
Oh! maid inspired.

'Tis thine on eagle wings to soar,
Unknown, unfathomed realms explore;
Below the deeps, above the sky,
Beyond the starry orbs on high;
(Can aught restrain thy flight?)
To pierce the veil of future time,
And rise in Fancy's car sublime,
To realms of light.

At midnight, to the guilty breast,
Thou com'st, a feared, appalling guest;
While lightnings flash and thunders roll,
Accusing conscience wakes the soul,
And bids each fear increase;
And, while benignant slumber flies,
With awful voice, in whisper cries,
Farewell to peace.

But oh, dread power, how sweet thy reign,
To Virtue's mild and hallowed train!
The storm around may wildly rave,
And winter swell the mountain wave,
Yet soft their calm repose!
Their minds unruffled and serene,
And guardian-seraphs watch unseen,
Their eyes to close.





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