Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE LYRE'S LAMENT, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LYRE'S LAMENT, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: A deep-toned lyre hung murmuring
Last Line: To many a human heart!
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Lament


A DEEP-TONED lyre hung murmuring
To the wild wind of the sea:
"O melancholy wind," it sighed,
"What would thy breath with me?

"Thou canst not wake the spirit
That in me slumbering lies,
Thou strikest not forth th' electric fire
Of buried melodies.

"Wind of the dark sea-waters!
Thou dost but sweep my strings
Into wild gusts of mournfulness,
With the rushing of thy wings.

"But the spell -- the gift -- the lightning --
Within my frame concealed,
Must I moulder on the rock away,
With their triumphs unrevealed?

"I have power, high power, for freedom
To wake the burning soul!
I have sounds that through the ancient
Like a torrent's voice might roll.

"I have pealing notes of victory
That might welcome kings from war;
I have rich deep tones to send the wail
For a hero's death afar.

"I have chords to lift the paean
From the temple to the sky,
Full as the forest-unisons
When sweeping winds are high.

"And Love -- for Love's lone sorrow
I have accents that might swell
Through the summer air with the rose's
Or the violet's faint farewell: [breath,

"Soft -- spiritual -- mournful --
Sighs in each note enshrined --
But who shall call that sweetness forth?
Thou canst not, ocean-wind!

"I pass without my glory,
Forgotten I decay --
Where is the touch to give me life? --
Wild, fitful wind, away!"

So sighed the broken music
That in gladness had no part --
How like art thou, neglected lyre,
To many a human heart!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


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