James Joyce

Chamber Music James Joyce

Strings in the earth and airMake music sweet; Strings by the river whereThe willows meet. There's music along the riverFor Love wanders there, Pale flowers on his mantle, Dark leaves on his hair. All softly playing, With head to the music bent, And fingers strayingUpon an instrument. The twilight turns from amethystTo deep and deeper blue, The lamp fills with a pale green glowThe trees of the avenue. The old piano plays an air, Sedate and slow and gay; She bends upon the yellow keys, Her head inclines this way. Shy thought and grave wide eyes and handsThat wander as they list-The twilight turns to darker blueWith lights of amethyst. At that hour when all things have repose, O lonely watcher of the skies, Do you hear the night wind and the sighsOf harps playing unto Love to uncloseThe pale gates of sunrise?When all things repose, do you aloneAwake to hear the sweet harps playTo Love before him on his way, And the night wind answering in antiphonTill night is overgone?Play on, invisible harps, unto Love, Whose way in heaven is aglowAt that hour when soft lights come and go, Soft sweet music in the air aboveAnd in the