Classic and Contemporary Poetry
MAIDEN SPEECH OF THE AEOLIAN HARP, by RALPH WALDO EMERSON Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Soft and softlier hold me, friends Last Line: And charm the anguish of the worst. Subject(s): Harps; Musical Instruments; Lyres | ||||||||
Soft and softlier hold me, friends! Thanks if your genial care Unbind and give me to the air. Keep your lips or finger-tips For flute or spinnet's dancing chips; I await a tenderer touch, I ask more or not so much: Give me to the atmosphere, -- Where is the wind my brother, -- where? Lift the sash, lay me within, Lend me your ears, and I begin. For gentle harp to gentle hearts The secret of the world imparts; And not to-day and not to-morrow Can drain its wealth of hope and sorrow; But day by day, to loving ear Unlocks new sense and loftier cheer. I've come to live with you, sweet friends, This home my minstrel journeying ends. Many and subtle are my lays, The latest better than the first, For I can mend the happiest days, And charm the anguish of the worst. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE GHOSTS LISTEN TO ORPHEUS SING by GREGORY ORR TO AN AEOLIAN HARP by SARA TEASDALE THE AEOLIAN HARP by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE THE MASTER-PLAYER by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE HARP by RALPH WALDO EMERSON THE AEOLIAN HARP; AT THE SURF INN by HERMAN MELVILLE THAT HARP YOU PLAY SO WELL by MARIANNE MOORE RUMORS FROM AN AEOLIAN HARP by HENRY DAVID THOREAU AEOLIAN HARP (1) by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM |
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