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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


AN ODE TO MUSIC: 11 by JAMES GATES PERCIVAL

First Line: HOW LIGHT THE STRAIN WHEN DECKED IN VERNAL BLOOM
Last Line: ALL BLENDED WITH THE SMILE, THAT SHONE LIKE EARLY DEW.
Subject(s): MUSIC & MUSICIANS;

How light the strain when, decked in vernal bloom,
Thalia tuned her lyre of melody,
And when Terpsichore, with iris-plume,
Bade o'er her lute her rosy fingers fly;
'T was pleasure all -- the fawns in mingled choirs,
Glanced on the willing nymphs their wanton fires,
Joy shook his glittering pinions as he flew;
The shout of rapture and the song of bliss,
The sportive titter and the melting kiss,
All blended with the smile, that shone like early dew.



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