Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BIRTH OF SPEECH, by DAVID HARTLEY COLERIDGE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BIRTH OF SPEECH, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: What was't awaken'd first the untried ear
Last Line: Or his own voice awake him with its sound?
Alternate Author Name(s): Coleridge, Hartley
Subject(s): Speech; Oratory; Orators


WHAT was't awaken'd first the untried ear
Of that sole man who was all human kind?
Was it the gladsome welcome of the wind,
Stirring the leaves that never yet were sere?
The four mellifluous streams which flow'd so near,
Their lulling murmurs all in one combin'd?
The note of bird unnam'd? The startled hind
Bursting the brake -- in wonder, not in fear,
Of her new lord? Or did the holy ground
Send forth mysterious melody to greet
The gracious pressure of immaculate feet?
Did viewless seraphs rustle all around,
Making sweet music out of air as sweet,
Or his own voice awake him with its sound?





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