Poems (Edwards)/The Midnight Serenade

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THE MIDNIGHT SERENADE.
Hark! through the midnight gloom I hear
 A soft melodious strain,
It rises on the stilly air,
 Then sinks and dies again;
It echoes like a spirit's voice,
 Through mountain, hill and glade,
It fills my heart with joy; it is
 "The midnight serenade."

Breathe not a word, wake not a sound,
 Break not the thrilling spell,
Mar not the melody that suits
 My own heart-harp so well;
Sing on with joyful hearts and free,
 In yonder moonlight shade,
And let me weep; O! sing on still
 "The midnight serenade."

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Much loftier music have I heard,
 Chaste music rich in art,
But ne'er has melody like this
 E'er fallen on my heart;
I love the wild, the glad, the free,
 The music that is made
By heart and ear; O! sing on still,
 "The midnight serenade."

'Tis gone, I hear light footsteps now,
 Slow passing down the lawn,
The music sinks and dies away,
 'Till every note is gone;
O! many a year may pass away,
 And many a memory fade,
E'er I forget that Heaven touched song,
 "The midnight serenade."

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