by Robert Seymour Bridges (1844 - 1930)

Hark ! What spirit doth entreat
Language: English 
Hark ! What spirit doth entreat 
The love-obedient air ? 
All the pomp of his delight 
Revels on the ravisht night, 
Wandering wilful, soaring fair: 
There ! Tis there, 'tis there. 
Like a flower of primal fire 
Late redeem'd by man's desire. 
Away, on wings away 
My spirit far hath flown, 
To a land of love and peace, 
Of beauty unknown. 
The world that earth-born man, 
By evil undismay'd, 
Out of the breath of God 
Hath for his heaven made. 
Where all his dreams soe'er 
Of holy things and fair 
In splendour are upgrown, 
Which thro' the toilsome years 
Martyrs and faithful seers 
And poets with holy tears 
Of hope have sown. 
There, beyond power of ill, 
In joy and blessing crown'd, 
Christ with His lamp of truth 
Sitteth upon the hill 
Of everlasting youth, 
And calls His saints around.

About the headline (FAQ)

First published in Cornhill Magazine, September 1898

Text Authorship:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

  • by John (Nicholson) Ireland (1879 - 1962), "Hark ! What spirit doth entreat", 1947-48, first performed 1948 [chorus and instrumental ensemble], from the cantata Man in his labour rejoiceth, no. 5, note: for 9 choirs, 4 pipe bands, and 8 colliery brass bands; the brass band parts were lost and replaced by new ones recreated by Andrew Duncan for a new edition published in 2012 by The Music Company (UK) Ltd [ sung text not verified ]

This text (or a part of it) is used in a work
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2009-01-29
Line count: 29
Word count: 137