The Soul Of Song

By Achsa White Sprague

Sweet spirit! that lives in my spirit's deep cells,
And wakes into music each string,
Oh, touch with thy fingers my long silent lips,
And bid them with melody sing!

I hear thy rich echoes forever and ay;
Ye haunt all the depths of my soul;
I listen within to thy anthems sublime,
And tremble and weep as ye roll.

Oh, Soul of sweet Song! that shall live in my soul,
And thrill in my heart-strings for ay,
Wake, wake to thy numbers my passionless lips,
And set them to music to-day!

I dream of thy spirit such beautiful dreams!
They haunt me in hours of my rest;
I hear thy low murmurs -- a passionate wail --
When my spirit is dark with unrest.

Oh! touch my cold lips as my soul has been touched,
Till they speak of the grandeur within!
Oh! give me the power to repeat thy sweet strains,
Or I die in the effort to win!