As by the instrument she took her place, The expectant people, breathing sigh nor word, Sat hushed, while o'er the waiting ivory stirred Her supple hands with their suggestive grace. With sweet notes they began to interlace, And then with lofty strains their skill to gird, Then loftier still, till all the echoes heard Entrancing harmonies float into space. She paused, and gaily trifled with the keys Until they laughed in wild delirium, Then, with rebuking fingers, from their glees She led them one by one till all grew dumb, And music seemed to sink upon its knees, A slave her touch could quicken or benumb. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE INCORRIGIBLE DIRIGIBLE by HAYDEN CARRUTH A SUMMER'S GARDEN by ROBERT FROST THE STORY OF THE END OF THE STORY by JAMES GALVIN AND THE GREATEST OF THESE IS WAR by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON TO -, WITH A ROSE by SIDNEY LANIER TO MY CLASS: ON CERTAIN FRUITS AND FLOWERS SENT ... SICKNESS by SIDNEY LANIER BETRAND AND GOURGAUD TALK OVER OLD TIMES by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: IPPOLIT KONOVALOFF by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |