Felicia Hemans in The New Monthly Magazine Volume 23 1828/The Lyre's Complaint
The New Monthly Magazine, Volume 23, Page 241
THE LYRE'S COMPLAINT.
"A large lyre hung in an opening of the rock, and gave its melancholy music to the wind. But no human being was to be seen."—Salathiel.
A deep-toned lyre hung murmuring
To the wild wind of the sea;—
"O melancholy wind," it sigh'd,
"What would thy breath with me?
"Thou canst not wake the spirit
That in me slumbering lies;
Thou strik'st not forth th' electric fire
Of buried melodies.
"Wind of the lone dark waters!
Thou dost but sweep my strings
Into wild gusts of mournfulness
With the rushing of thy wings.
"But the gift, the spell, the lightning,
Within my frame conceal'd—
Must I moulder on the rock away,
With their triumphs unreveal'd?
"I have power, high power, for Freedom
To wake the burning soul;
I have sounds that through the ancient hills
Like a torrent's voice might roll:
"I have pealing notes of Victory,
That might welcome kings from war;
I have rich deep tones to send the wail
For a Hero's death afar:
"I have chords to lift the Pæan
From the Temple to the sky,
Full as the forest-unisons,
When sweeping winds are high.
"And Love—for Love's lone sorrow
I have music that might swell
Through the summer-air with the rose's breath,
Or the violet's faint farewell.
"Soft—spiritual—mournful—
Sighs in each note enshrined;—
But who shall call that sweetness forth?
Thou canst not, Ocean-wind!
"No kindling heart gives echoes
To the passion of my strain;
I perish with my wasted gifts,
Vain is that dower—all vain!
"I pass without my glory,
Forgotten I decay—
Where is the touch to give me life?
—Wild fitful wind, away!"
So sigh'd the broken music,
That in gladness had no part;—
— How like art thou, neglected lyre!
To many a human heart!F. H.