Poems (King)/The Rosary's Music

The Rosary's Music
LIST to the music, sweet beyond compare,
  Thrilling the autumn air!
Far heard above the ocean's sobbing plaint
  Are its low breathings faint.
"Hail Mary" sounds upon the listening ear
  In tones all silvery clear;
From countless hearts upsoar the winged words,
  Like flocks of summer birds.

"All full of grace art thou," the cadence swells,
  E'en as sweet vesper bells;
"With thee the Lord doth dwell," the breezes sing,
  "Thy Son divine, thy King."
As floats upon the air the sacred Name
  That from high heaven came,
Back to their coverts shrink the demons dark,
  Hiding in terror stark.

And when the heart is by life's anguish wrung,
  Thus grief doth find a tongue:
"Mother, for sinners pray, this day,—that hour
  When Death asserts his power."
So from the rosary's lute the Aves rise
  Up to the mystic skies,
As when the rapt musician from his keys
  Smites heavenly harmonies.