Not Understood and Other Poems/Spirit of Song

by Thomas Bracken

 

SPIRIT OF SONG.

 

WHERE is thy dwelling-place? Echo of sweetness,
  Seraph of tenderness, where is thy home?
Angel of happiness, herald of fleetness,
  Thou hast the key of the star-blazon’d dome,
        Where lays that never end
        Up to God’s throne ascend,
And our fond-heart wishes lovingly throng,
        Soaring with thee above,
        Bearer of truth and love,
Teacher of heaven’s tongue—Spirit of Song.

Euphony, born in the realms of the tearless,
  Mingling thy notes with the voices of Earth;
Wanting thee, all would be dreary and cheerless.
  Weaver of harmony, giver of mirth.
        Comfort of child and sage,
        With us in youth and age,
Soothing the weak and inspiring the strong,
        Illum’ning the blackest night
        Making the day more bright,
Oh! thou art dear to us, Spirit of Song.

Oft in the springtime, sweet words of affection
  Are whispered by thee in thy tenderest tone,
And in the winter dark clouds of dejection
  By thee are dispelled till all sorrow has flown.
       Thou’rt with the Zephyrs low,
        And with the brooklet’s flow,
And with the feathered choir all the day long;
        Happy each child of thine,
        Blest with thy gifts divine,
Charming our senses, sweet Spirit of Song.