Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1874 edition. Excerpt: ... MUSIC AND MOONLIGHT. "A tone Of some world far from ours, Whose music and moonlight and feeling Are one." Shelley. MUSIC AND MOONLIGHT. H, lovely, prisoned soul of Eucharis! I knew your sorrow and I felt your bliss. I was not rich Sir John you used to hate, Nor stupid smiling D'Arcy, nor that loud Intolerable fool whose empty prate Enchanted all the girls, nor of their crowd, Your hopeless speechless lovers, who had vowed Unutterable nothings with their eyes As often as you passed them: all I know You hated, laughed, or yawned at. I was wise, And never wooed you; nay, indeed, although I had the very secret of your soul, I seldom spoke to you. One brilliant night, When the great drawing-room was full of light. And dizzy with the rustling of a whole Sweet restless ocean of bright silk and gauze, In an uncertain, half delirious pause, While many an eye was suddenly o'er-brimmed With softened light'ning, that till then had dimmed Never its glittering opal, --Eucharis, You played. There was a faint subsiding hiss, For silence, then your grand piano's tone Grew to a wonderful voice, became your own-- Spoke, prayed, sang, wept, and died away at last, Far away in a silver dream that past Back to your soul's fair heaven;--and I alone, A poet silent near the crowded door, Had heard your soul and understood and known; And, as you ended, overcome once more With sadness there was no accounting for-- A sadness known alike to me and you-- I went away, and dreamed the next day through. 'Twas after midnight, and the house was dim And full of mysteries; late, a costly glare Guided the mazy steps of many a slim And high-born beauty through the chambers fair, And out to glittering corridor and stair, Made marvellous with marble luxuries And rich exotic...
