Music

Hence, soul-dissolving Harmony

       &nbspThat lead'st th' oblivious soul astray—

Though thou sphere-descended be—

       &nbspHence away!—

Thou mightier Goddess, thou demand'st my lay,

       &nbspBorn when earth was seiz'd with cholic;

Or as more sapient sages say,

       &nbspWhat time the Legion diabolic

       &nbsp       &nbspCompell'd their beings to enshrine

       &nbsp       &nbspIn bodies vile of herded swine,

       &nbsp       &nbspPrecipitate adown the steep

       &nbsp       &nbspWith hideous rout were plunging in the deep,

And hog and devil mingling grunt and yell

       &nbspSeiz'd on the ear with horrible obtrusion;—

Then if aright old legendaries tell,

       &nbspWert thou begot by Discord on Confusion!





What though no name's sonorous power

Was given thee at thy natal hour!—

Yet oft I feel thy sacred might,

While concords wing their distant flight.

       &nbspSuch Power inspires thy holy son

       &nbsp       &nbspSable clerk of Tiverton!

And oft where Otter sports his stream,

I hear thy banded offspring scream.

Thou Goddess! thou inspir'st each throat;

'Tis thou who pour'st the scritch-owl note!

Transported hear'st thy children all

Scrape and blow and squeak and squall;

And while old Otter's steeple rings,

Clappest hoarse thy raven wings!