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Poem
October 9, 1874
The State Journal
Jefferson City, Cole County, Missouri
What is this article about?
A lyrical poem depicting a harpist playing in a moonlit room, evoking peace, nostalgia, and the transcendent power of music that contrasts with human mortality and pain.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
BY HARRIET PRESCOTT SPOFFORD
Her white hand flashes on the strings,
Sweeping a swift and silver cord,
And wild and strong the great harp rings
Its throng of throbbing tones abroad;
Music and moonlight make a bloom
Throughout the rich and sombre room,
Oh sweet and long and shivering swells,
And sweeter still the lingering glow,
Delicious as remembered bells
Dying in distance long ago,
When evening winds from heaven were blown
And the heart yearned for things unknown!
Across the leafy window place
Peace seals the stainless sapphire deep,
One sentry star on outer space
His quenchless lamp lifts, half asleep;
Peace broods where falling waters flow,
Peace where the heavy roses blow.
And on the windless atmosphere
Wait all the fragrances of June;
The summer night is hushed to hear
The passion of the ancient tune;
Then why these sudden tears that start.
And why this pierced and aching heart?
Ah, listen! We and all our pain
Are mortal, and divine the song!
Idly our topmost height we gain.
It spurns that height, and far along
Seeks in the heavens its splendid mark,
And we fall backward on the dark!
Her white hand flashes on the strings,
Sweeping a swift and silver cord,
And wild and strong the great harp rings
Its throng of throbbing tones abroad;
Music and moonlight make a bloom
Throughout the rich and sombre room,
Oh sweet and long and shivering swells,
And sweeter still the lingering glow,
Delicious as remembered bells
Dying in distance long ago,
When evening winds from heaven were blown
And the heart yearned for things unknown!
Across the leafy window place
Peace seals the stainless sapphire deep,
One sentry star on outer space
His quenchless lamp lifts, half asleep;
Peace broods where falling waters flow,
Peace where the heavy roses blow.
And on the windless atmosphere
Wait all the fragrances of June;
The summer night is hushed to hear
The passion of the ancient tune;
Then why these sudden tears that start.
And why this pierced and aching heart?
Ah, listen! We and all our pain
Are mortal, and divine the song!
Idly our topmost height we gain.
It spurns that height, and far along
Seeks in the heavens its splendid mark,
And we fall backward on the dark!
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Nature Seasons
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Harp Music
Moonlight Room
Summer Night
Mortal Pain
Divine Song
Transcendence
What entities or persons were involved?
By Harriet Prescott Spofford
Poem Details
Author
By Harriet Prescott Spofford
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas With Varying Meter
Key Lines
Music And Moonlight Make A Bloom
Throughout The Rich And Sombre Room,
Ah, Listen! We And All Our Pain
Are Mortal, And Divine The Song!
It Spurns That Height, And Far Along
Seeks In The Heavens Its Splendid Mark,
And We Fall Backward On The Dark!