quote · Legacy record
What time thy heavenly voice preludes Unto the fair and silent night, Winged minstrel of my solitudes, Unknown to thee I trace its flight. Thy voice so touching and sublime, Seems far too pure for this gross earth; Surely we well may deem the chime An instinct which with God has birth. Thy warblings and thy murmurs sweet, Into melodious union bring All fair sounds that in nature meet, Or float from heaven on wand’ring wing. And that mysterious voice, that sound Which angels listen to with me,— That sigh of pious night is found In thee, melodious bird, in thee.
What time thy heavenly voice preludes Unto the fair and silent night, Winged minstrel of my solitudes, Unknown to thee I trace its flight. Thy voice so touching and sublime, Seems far too pure for this gross earth; Surely we well may deem the chime An instinct which with God has birth. Thy warblings and thy murmurs sweet, Into melodious union bring All fair sounds that in nature meet, Or float from heaven on wand’ring wing. And that mysterious voice, that sound Which angels listen to with me,— That sigh of pious night is found In thee, melodious bird, in thee.
In print by 1888 AD · industrial
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Meaning not yet available
An individual explanation has not yet been added. We do not substitute a generic description for an interpretation of these particular words.
Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Lamartine (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1888 AD · industrial
In print by 1888: recorded in A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 70 · printed citation: Lamartine · subject: BIRDS—FOWLS
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.