An Impromptu - II

AT THE WALCKER DINNER UPON THE
COMPLETION OF THE GREAT ORGAN
FOR BOSTON MUSIC HALL IN 1863
I ASKED three little maidens who heard the organ play,
Where all the music came from that stole our hearts away:
"I know," - said fair-haired Edith,-"it was the autumn breeze
That whistled through the hollows of all those silver trees."
"No, child!" " said keen-eyed Clara, it is a lion's cage,
They woke him out of slumber, I heard him roar and rage."
"Nay," answered soft-voiced Anna, "'t was thunder that you heard,
And after that caine sunshine and singing of a bird."
" Hush, hush, you little children, for all of you are wrong,"
I said, "my pretty darlings, it was no earthly song; A band of blessed angels has left the heavenly choirs,
And what you heard last evening were seraph lips and lyres!"