Orpheus Sings, But Hoarsely Sings Poem by Emmanuel George Cefai

Orpheus sings, but hoarsely sings
To-night.

See, see how the tall thin fir trembles
Trembles to-night.

See how the north star vibrates
Humming to-night.

Then Neptune churns his waves
Green-dark to-night.

Then the cathedral clock-tower
Strikes to-night

Hour after hour go, and reverse
Not, to-night

The tall cathedral thin in the shroud’s eye:
To-night

Then the whole night dances wearily
Around to-night

And the moon turns around in trances
All to-night

North, cold, and windy houses bleak
To-night

Centuries that rise as ghosts and shrouds
Lament to-night.