Ah! The Venetian Violin

ah! the Venetian violin how lay on the desk unstrung, unseen by admiring eyes: much less the hall of applause full distant was. And in the night A silver faery came Tall wan unearthy And in her eyes A wildness spake not words And in her walk A furtive pace of fear And in her cheeks A modest blush retiring Under a cloud like to the candid moon In winter nights on lakes and waters froze Shining with feeble light. And strung she the violin And numbers flowed And flowed into the night Into the ancient walls and vaults Of that antique tower: And in the night The music notes unseen A hundred elves and fauns And satyrs made dance Like the Three Graces.