THE SONG OF SHADOWS

 

Sweep thy faint Strings, Musician,
     With thy long lean hand;
Downward the starry tapers burn,
     Sinks soft the waning sand;
The old hound whimpers couched in sleep,
     The embers smoulder low;
Across the walls the shadows
          Come, and go.

Sweep softly thy strings, Musician,
     The minutes mount to hours;
Frost on the windless casement weaves
     A labyrinth of flowers;
Ghosts linger in the darkening air,
     Hearken at the open door;
Music hath called them, dreaming,
          Home once more.