Poems on Various Subjects (Coleridge)/To the Rev. W. J. H.

by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

TO THE

 

Rev. W. J. H.

 

WHILE TEACHING A YOUNG LADY
SOME SONG-TUNES

 

ON HIS FLUTE.

 

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I.

HUSH! ye clamorous Cares! be mute!

Again, dear Harmonist! again
Thro' the hollow of thy flute
Breathe that passion-warbled strain:

Till Memory each form shall bring
The loveliest of her shadowy throng;
And Hope, that soars on sky-lark wing,
Carol wild her gladdest song!

II.

O skill'd with magic spell to roll

The thrilling tones, that concentrate the soul!
Breathe thro' thy flute those tender notes again,
While near thee sits the chaste-eyed Maiden mild;
And bid her raise the Poet's kindred strain
In soft impassion'd voice, correctly wild.

III.

In Freedom's undivided dell,

Where Toil and Health with mellow'd Love shall dwell,

Far from folly, far from men,
In the rude romantic glen,
Up the cliff, and thro' the glade,
Wand'ring with the dear-lov'd maid,
I shall listen to the lay,
And ponder on thee far away!
Still, as she bids those thrilling notes aspire
("Making my fond attuned heart her lyre")
Thy honor'd form, my Friend! shall re-appear,
And I will thank thee with a raptur'd tear.