Classic Poem

1. The Serenade.

" What strains are these that break my sleep,
That with my dreams are blent?
O mother, see! what can they be,
Now night so far is spent? "

" I naught can see, I naught can hear,
Sleep on in slumber mild;
For thee is played no serenade,
My poor, my suffering child. "

" These strains from earth have not their birth,
That make my soul so light;
The angels come to call me home;
O mother dear! good night! "

2. The Organ.

" Once more for me thine organ play,
My neighbour old and kind;
Perchance, while sounds its solemn tone,
My soul may feel resigned. "

The suff'rer ask'd, the neighbour played,
So played he ne'er before;
So clearly, softly! Nay, his touch
Is like his own no more.

It seems a soft and blessed tune
That 'neath his hands is sped;
He stops in horror — lo! from earth
His neighbour's soul hath fled!

3. The Thrush.

" I ne'er would seek the garden more,
But lie here all the day,
Might I but hear the joyous thrush
That yonder trills his lay! "

So spake the child — the thrush is caught;
Within a cage it pines;
It ne'er will sing, but evermore
Its drooping head declines.

Yet once again with anxious eyes
The child upon it gazed;
The thrush sang clear and loud — then death
Its glistening eye-balls glazed.