Long has the school been left behind, For years have passed away: We find her now where evening light Fades not into the darksome night, But melts into the day. There, in an arched and lofty room, She stands, in fair white dress; Where grace and color and sweet sound Combine and cluster all around, And rarest taste express. 'Tis Alice still, but woman grown In hand and head and heart: And those who now around her throng Are skilled in music and in song, In learning and in art. It was an evening of delight To be remembered long, With many a reach of vivid thought, And many a vision artist-wrought, And -- crown of all that friendship brought -- The eloquence of song. The North is bright, with lingering light To Northern summers given, -- A tender loveliness that stays When twilight falls upon the days, As silence falls in heaven. "Now, Alice: now the time is come! Sweet music you have poured; But, in this gentle twilight-fall, Give now the very best of all That in your heart is stored. "Give now the Master's masterpiece; All silent we will be: And you shall stir our inmost souls, While, like a fiery river, rolls Beethoven's harmony. An instrument was by her side, -- A new and glad possession, Whose perfect answering conveyed Each delicate and subtle shade Of varying expression. She needed no reminding score, For memory was true: And what is learnt in childish years, Deep graven on the mind appears Our life's whole journey through. And so she only had to let The long-known music flow From happy heart and steady hand, As with a magic flame-command; Enkindling in the listening band A full responsive glow. Through shade more beautiful than light, Through hush of softest word, Through calm and silence, still and deep As angel-love or seraph-sleep. The opening notes were heard. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OCTAVES: 15 by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON A PAINTED FAN by LOUISE CHANDLER MOULTON PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 94. AL-HADI by EDWIN ARNOLD MINDEN HOUSE by WILLIAM BARNES THE MAID'S TRAGEDY by FRANCIS BEAUMONT CONFESSIONS by ROBERT BROWNING |