(CARVED WITH A CUPID'S HEAD, AND PLAYED ON FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER MORE THAN A CENTURY.) WHAT fairy music clear and light, Responsive to your fingers, Swells rippling on the summer night, And amorously lingers Upon the sense, as long ago In days of rouge and rococo! A century of silence lay On strings that had not spoken Since powdered lords to ladies gay Gave, for a lover's token, Fans glowing fresh from Watteau's art, Well worth a marchioness's heart. Your dormant music tranced and bound Was like the Sleeping Beauty Prince Charming in the forest found, And kissed in loyal duty: And when she woke her eyes' blue fire Turned the dumb forest to a lyre. Thus Amor with the bandaged eyes, Fit symbol of hushed numbers, Most musically wakes and sighs After an age of slumbers: Beneath your magic bow's control. The Viol has regained her soul. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...RECESSIONAL by RUDYARD KIPLING WINTER EVENING by ARCHIBALD LAMPMAN THE BRAES OF YARROW by JOHN LOGAN (1748-1788) THE GODS AND THE WINDS by ALEXANDER ANDERSON TO A FRIEND ON HER BIRTH-DAY by BERNARD BARTON THE JUNGLE WALLAH by BERTON BRALEY SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE: 3 by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |