Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Higginson and Bigelow, comps. American Sonnets. 1891.

The Violin

Warren Holden (1817–1903)

THE HEART’S Own Voice, sweet viol, by thy name,

Whose throbbing chords are tuned to every tone

Of passion’s scale to human bosom known.

Dost thou discourse of love? The lover’s frame

Responsive trembles and reveals the flame.

Is grief thy theme? What sympathy is shown

On every face! Mayhap there bursts a moan.

Thy gentle chiding wakens conscious blame.

Spontaneous pleasure leads the nimble dance

Where’er thy wizard wand a challenge flings,

’Neath stately roof or green-wood tree perchance.

And when repentance wavers o’er the strings

Their pleading prayers the contrite heart entrance,

And waft it heavenward as on angel wings.