Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TRIUMPHANT MUSIC, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TRIUMPHANT MUSIC, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Wherefore and whither bear'st thou up
Last Line: Of joy no more -- bewildering harmony!
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Music & Musicians


WHEREFORE and whither bear'st thou up my spirit,
On eagle wings, through every plume that thrill?
It hath no crown of victory to inherit --
Be still, triumphant harmony! be still!
Thine are no sounds for earth, thus proudly swelling
Into rich floods of joy: -- it is but pain
To mount so high, yet find on high no dwelling,
To sink so fast, so heavily again:

No sounds for earth? -- Yes, to young chieftain dying
On his own battle-field, at set of sun,
With his freed country's banner o'er him flying,
Well mightst thou speak of fame's high guerdon won.

No sounds for earth? -- Yes, for the martyr leading
Unto victorious death serenely on,
For patriot by his rescued altars bleeding,
Thou hast a voice in each majestic tone.

But speak not thus to one whose heart is beating
Against life's narrow bound, in conflict vain!
For power, for joy, high hope, and rapturous greeting,
Thou wak'st lone thirst -- be hushed, exulting strain.

Be hushed, or breathe of grief! -- of exile yearnings
Under the willows of the stranger-shore;
Breathe of the soul's untold and restless burnings
For looks, tones, footsteps, that return no more.

Breathe of deep love -- a lonely vigil keeping
Through the night-hours, o'er wasted wealth to pine;
Rich thoughts and sad, like faded rose-leaves heaping,
In the shut heart, at once a tomb and shrine.

Or pass as if thy spirit-notes came sighing
From worlds beneath some blue Elysian sky;
Breathe of repose, the pure, the bright, th' undying --
Of joy no more -- bewildering harmony!





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