<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">Condolence</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">THE language wherein Goethe did record</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Wedlock of Christian Art with pagan Joy--</p><p class="line">Of Faust with Helen, and Calvary with Troy--</p><p class="line">That tongue I speak not; but at yon key-board,</p><p class="line">Which is the grandchild of the harpsichord,</p><p class="line">Rapt have I sat and listened from a boy,</p><p class="line">While Schubert's, Schumann's gold without alloy</p><p class="line">Flashed amid thunder, from my own hands poured.</p><p class="line">Bach, his great coils by giant shuttles woven,</p><p class="line">Companioned oft my youth ; and oft this soul</p><p class="line">By Wagner's Siegfried-sword was pierced and cloven:</p><p class="line">And with the sorrowing Earth would I condole,</p><p class="line">Hearing Man's masterpiece of dissonance roll</p><p class="line">From the same mighty breast that nursed Beethoven.</p></div></body></html> · Great War