Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TILDY IN THE CHOIR, by FREDERIC LAWRENCE KNOWLES Poet's Biography First Line: Lines that ripple, notes that dance Last Line: Tildy still is in the choir! Alternate Author Name(s): Paget, R. L. Subject(s): Choirs | ||||||||
LINES that ripple, notes that dance, Foreign measures brought from France, Reaching with a careless ease From high C to -- where you please, Clever, frivolous, and gay -- These will answer in their way; But that tune of long ago -- Stately, solemn, somewhat slow (Dear "Old Hundred" -- that's the air) -- Will outrank them anywhere; Once it breathed a seraph's fire. (Tildy sang it in the choir.) How she stood up straight and tall! Ah! again I see it all; Cheeks that glowed and eyes that laughed, Teeth like cream, and lips that quaffed All the genial country's wealth Of large cheer and perfect health, Gown -- well, yes -- old-fashioned quite, You would call it "just a fright," But I love that quaint attire. (Tildy wore it in the choir.) How we sang -- for I was there, Occupied a singer's chair Next to -- well, no prouder man Ever lifts the bass, nor can, Sometimes held the self-same book, (How my nervous fingers shook!) Sometimes -- wretch -- while still the air Echoed to the parson's prayer, I would whisper in her ear What she could not help but hear. Once, I told her my desire. (Tildy promised in the choir.) Well, those days are past, and now Come gray hairs, and yet somehow I can't think those years have fled -- Still those roadways know my tread, Still I climb that old pine stair, Sit upon the stiff-backed chair, Stealing glances toward my left Till her eyes repay the theft; Death's a dream and Time's a liar -- Tildy still is in the choir. Come, Matilda number two, Fin de siecle maiden you! Wonder if you'd like to see Her I loved in fifty-three? Yes? All right, then go and find Mother's picture -- "Papa!" -- Mind! She and I were married. You Were our youngest. Now you, too, Raise the same old anthems till All the church is hushed and still With a single soul to hear. Do I flatter? Ah, my dear, Time has brought my last desire -- Tildy still is in the choir! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CHORISTER by GEORGE MURRAY (1830-1910) JOINING A CHOIR by DAVID KELLER CHORUS by WILLIAM STANLEY MERWIN A FUNERAL by FREDERIC LAWRENCE KNOWLES A PASTURE by FREDERIC LAWRENCE KNOWLES A SOAP-BUBBLE by FREDERIC LAWRENCE KNOWLES ANOTHER COMPLAINT AGAINST CUPID by FREDERIC LAWRENCE KNOWLES GOLGOTHA by FREDERIC LAWRENCE KNOWLES HER LITTLE GLOVE by FREDERIC LAWRENCE KNOWLES |
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