William Baxter The Eolian Harp (1851)

 

T H E

L A D I E S '   R E P O S I T O R Y .
J U L Y,   1 8 5 1 .

 

T H E   E O L I A N   H A R P .
BY WILLIAM BAXTER.
OFTEN, in the hush of evening,
    I have heard the wind-harp's sigh
O'er my charmed senses stealing,
    Like some spirit whispering nigh.

And I've thought the gentle breathing
    Of that trembling, fairy string,
Might be wakened by the motion
    Of a wandering spirit's wing.

Then I'd question, "Why should spirits
    Leave their bright and blissful sphere,
And thus breathe the strains of heaven
    Sweetly into mortal ear?

Could compassion for our sorrows
    Bring an angel from above,
In our saddest hours to sooth us
    With those gentle strains of love?"

No; 'tis not a fitting mission
    For an angel thus to bring
To earth's children, worn and weary,
    Solace in their suffering.

For the angels, pure and holy,
    Neither sin nor sorrow know;
They have never felt the anguish
    Mortals often feel below.

Yet, there are bright, happy spirits
    Walking Salem's streets of gold,
Joining in Jehovah's praises,
    Who were once of mortal mold.

Once they dwelt on earth in sorrow,
    Knew its cares, its doubts, and fears--
Once, like us, cast longing glances
    Upward, through their falling tears.

Now, released from sin and sorrow,
    They can pity our distress;
And, upon the wings of mercy,
    They are near us--near to bless.

And the waving of their pinions
    Wakes the wind-harp's gentle sigh;
With its tones their voices mingle,
    As they call us to the sky.

Ever, then, when those sweet voices
    Fall upon my list'ning ear,
Well I know some loved, some lost one,
    Though unseen, is lingering near.

 

[The Ladies' Repository 11 (July 1851): 246.]

ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC EDITION

      William Baxter's "The Eolian Harp" was first published in The Ladies' Repository: A Monthly Periodical Devoted to Literature and Religion, Vol. 11, No. 7, July 1851, p. 246. This volume, edited by B. F. Tefft, was published in Cincinnati by L. Swormstedt and J. H. Power and in New York by G. Lane and L. Scott.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 16 April 2000.
Updated 28 June 2003.

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