TAKE thou these words thine elder brother writ, -- Thou, to whom Song is as thy native speech! Across the swift-flown centuries thou canst reach To him, thy kinsman, reverent hands and sit -- While shadows of the Past about ye flit -- With him, "in sessions of sweet, silent thought," And share with him those halcyon days that brought Music's sweet charm, and sparkle keen of wit. So shalt thou learn the secret of his song, -- Those minor chords; since Life is as the leaf, And gladdest love and brightest day are brief; Those clear, bold notes that told his soul was strong, Brave to endure, and swift to smite the wrong, Until Death healed thine elder brother's grief. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON THE RHINE by WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES THE PAUPER'S DEATH-BED by CAROLINE ANNE BOWLES SOUTHEY TO HIS MISTRESS by RICHARD BARNFIELD COMOS by ADRA CAROLINE BATCHELDER BATTERSEA PARK by CHARLES WILLIAM BRODRIBB STANZAS FOR MUSIC (5) by GEORGE GORDON BYRON SONG TO ONE WHO, WHEN I PRAIS'D MY MISTRESS' BEAUTY, SAID I WAS BLIND by THOMAS CAREW |