Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE ORGANIST IN HEAVEN (SAMUEL SEBASTIAN WESLEY), by THOMAS EDWARD BROWN Poet's Biography First Line: When wesley died, the angelic orders Last Line: And moved the balanced stars. Alternate Author Name(s): Brown, T. E. Subject(s): Death; Organs (musical Instruments); Wesley, Samuel Sebastian (1810-1876); Dead, The | ||||||||
WHEN Wesley died, the Angelic orders, To see him at the state, Pressed so incontinent that the warders Forgot to shut the gate. So I, that hitherto had followed As one with grief o'ercast, Where for the doors a space was hollowed, Crept in, and heard what passed. And God said: -- "Seeing thou hast given Thy life to my great sounds, Choose thou through all the cirque of Heaven What most of bliss redounds." Then Wesley said: -- "I hear the thunder Low growling from Thy seat -- Grant me that I may bind it under The trampling of my feet." And Wesley said: -- "See, lightning quivers Upon the presence walls -- Lord, give me of it four great rivers, To be my manuals." And then I saw the thunder chidden As slave to his desire; And then I saw the space bestridden With four great bands of fire; And stage by stage, stop stop subtending, Each lever strong and true, One shape inextricable blending, The awful organ grew. Then certain angels clad the Master In very marvellous wise, Till clouds of rose and alabaster Concealed him from mine eyes. And likest to a dove soft brooding, The innocent figure ran; So breathed the breath of his preluding, And then the fugue began -- Began; but, to his office turning, The porter swung his key; Wherefore, although my heart was yearning, I had to go; but he Played on; and, as I downward clomb, I heard the mighty bars Of thunder-gusts, that shook heaven's dome, And moved the balanced stars. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND A SERMON AT CLEVEDON; GOOD FRIDAY by THOMAS EDWARD BROWN |
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