On Hearing the Messiah

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <h3>ON HEARING "THE MESSIAH"</h3> <h1>by WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES</h1> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Oh, stay, harmonious and sweet sounds, that die<br/></span> <span class="i2">In the long vaultings of this ancient fane!<br/></span> <span class="i2">Stay, for I may not hear on earth again<br/></span> <span class="i0">Those pious airs&mdash;that glorious harmony;<br/></span> <span class="i0">Lifting the soul to brighter orbs on high,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Worlds without sin or sorrow!<br/></span> <span class="i29">Ah, the strain<br/></span> <span class="i0">Has died&mdash;ev'n the last sounds that lingeringly<br/></span> <span class="i0">Hung on the roof ere they expired!<br/></span> <span class="i38">And I,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Stand in the world of strife, amidst a throng,<br/></span> <span class="i2">A throng that recks not or of death, or sin!<br/></span> <span class="i0">Oh, jarring scenes! to cease, indeed, ere long;<br/></span> <span class="i2">The worm hears not the discord and the din;<br/></span> <span class="i0">But he whose heart thrills to this angel song,<br/></span> <span class="i2">Feels the pure joy of heaven on earth begin!<span class='pagenum'><SPAN name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</SPAN></span><br/></span></div> </div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />