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Chamber Music

(Lines read at the dinner given to Mr. and Mrs. E. J. de Coppert on the twenty-fifth anniversary of their musical gatherings and the tenth anniversary of the Flonzaley Quartet) SILENCE: the sunset gilds the frozen ground, But here within all's curtained; stands are set In the wide salon where gilt chairs abound, And eager listeners wait. The band is met Whose tuning sheds a cheerful hum around: Prophetic notes! The tapers brighten at the sound. The scattered sheets of music on the floor Reflect a lustre from the yellow flame. My sight dissolves. . . . Lo, Haydn at the door Enters like some stiff angel from his frame, Bearing the bundle of his latest score Which he distributes, smiling to the blessed four. Haydn is dead, you say? He dies no more So long as these shall meet. A magic wand Brings the old Master through the shadowy door, And upright in the midst his soul doth stand, While through the chords his sunny force doth pour. Ah Haydn, hast thou truly ever lived before? O intimate acquaintance! When we meet The hearts of old musicians, there is shown A conversation deeper and more sweet Than all save saints or lovers e'er have known. Is there an earthly friendship so complete As this, that in a heaven-born passion hath its seat? The gods and half-gods meet us everywhere But are at home in Music. There they live In privacy: Apollo suns his hair, And Aphrodite to the stars doth give The more-than-mortal eyes that almost stare, So wide they are, so open and so unaware. And while the gods do strum and tune a lay To please their godships,—there comes creeping in de Coppet with his crew to steal away The sacred fire. The trembling violin, Bratsche and cello, which his pirates play Bear the bright flame,—yes, undiminished reconvey. We are those guests who knew the joy sincere Of that Promethean plunder; and to-night Are wiser for the start of many a tear That chased surprisèd beauty in her flight, And happier for those hours of inward cheer, The thought of which, dear hosts of many days, doth draw us here.