Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE HARP OF DAVID, by JEHOASH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE HARP OF DAVID, by                    
First Line: When the night her vision is weaving
Last Line: Is a youthful poet again!
Alternate Author Name(s): Joash
Subject(s): Courts & Courtiers; David (d. 962 B.c.); Jews; Poetry & Poets; Royal Court Life; Royalty; Kings; Queens; Judaism


WHEN the night her vision is weaving
With moonlight and starlight for warp,
The King in his chamber arises
And wakens the voice of his harp.

He sees not the hands of him playing,
He hears but a melody sweet;
He hears but the heart of him beating
With a musical, magical beat.

He gazes out through the window
On the world in beauty bedight—
Forgotten the throne and the sceptre
In a holier, higher delight!

He sees like a picture before him,
The quiet, green fields where he spent
His youthful years as a shepherd,
His only palace—a tent—

His sceptre—the flute of the shepherd,
Carved of the cedar-wood hard;
His fortune and lonely treasure—
The soulful pride of the bard.

Then pours he his soul on the harp-strings—
Forgetful of sorrow and pain—
The old, gray monarch of Judah
Is a youthful Poet again!





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