Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-09-01
DAILY EVENING STAR.
Written for the Evening Star.
THE POWER OF MUSIC.
BY n. STILLMAN BALcH.

Alexander Stradella, Contemporary with Salvador
Kesa) remarkable for his grea; musical genius and
% whne YET young man residing at Venice, was enI-
pioyed by noheman TO give instruction in music
10 young lady of noble birth, who was both beau
tif'i ana accomplished, and possessed estmabie and
aniabie qualities mutual passion springing up in
e hearts OF both instructor and pupil they agreed
to y together from the house of her protector. The
enraged Italian on discovering their flight deter
ined tRat nothing but death should satisfy his
geahce and hired two hravOs, with instructions 10
tolow and execute his purpose. After vain search
through Naples, the birthplace of Stradella, they
ieaihed that he and the lady were living in Rome,
wnere she was regarded as his wife. Proceeding
thllher they soon discovered his residence but learn
ing tnat an oratoriO of his composition to be per
formed IN one of the churches. in which he was
himself to sing, they determined to waylay and muir
der MN on his return home in the darkness Of the
night. They entered the church while Stradella
was singing. and such was the exquisite beauty and
touching pathos of his music that these savages
melted by II, and they could not bear 10 take the
life OF man who had procured them such sweet and
unwonted emotions. They waited for him in the
street, but instead of punging their pognards in his
heart, informed him that such indeed had been their
purpose. which they now deteSted, and warned him
to fly with his beloved to place of greater safe
" from the vengeance of their enemy.
The holy temple gows with light.
And crowds are cOngrcgating there
Wealth. fashion, talent, beauty bright
The noble and the great appear:
For Rome, her rank and lineage pours
Within the conSecrated doors.
'Tis music's festival, and now
Apollo holds his gladstone reign.
And wizard hands shall WELD the bow,
And bid the melting Tyre complain;
And seraph tones shall softly wal,
Till man and natures fshall pale.
For Genius lends her witching fire,
And revels in the charms of art;
Genius, which fails not TO inspire;
For 10. Strhdelld acts a part.
And thoughts that breathe, and words that burn
And airs from heaven, shall wake and warm
List soft along the the temples dome
His thrilling notes echoing now,
Elysian Rrs-while yet there shone
The light of love upon his brow.
Each ear IS chain'd each eye Is fired,
And wondering spirits seem inspired.
Such melting melody would seem
To WOO the srraphim from heaven,
Or wake an angel from its dream,
To plead that sin might be forgiven
For every strain is drawing sighs
From battlements that wall the skies.
A calm and holy reverence reigns
Meath fretted vault, through long drawn aisle,
Yet mid 4 ese soft angf lie strains
There turks the serpent with its vile;
For thther savage murderers trod,
DlsdaInlng man, defying God.
They pause! seraphc airs have chained
The unwilling heart, the unwonted ear;
And men, whom crime and blood have stained,
Perceive that angels hover near;
The majesty of heaven holds sway,
For now.e'en iron hearts obey.
Mute, but resolved, they fain drink in
Those tones of art divinely pouring
ReSolred to leave the path of sin,
O'ercome by love, they stand adorng-
Aloring him whose life they sought,
Whose blood dire vengeance would have bought.
Oh art divine, which fell from heaven,
On man in elder Eden's prime,
Though from the sacred garden driven,
He bears this beautcnus gift through time.
To lift his soul to luII its fears,
And cheer him through the vale of tears.
To tame his savage heart. ard rai-e
Its nobest thoughts To heaven above,
Tune his glad voice to songs of praise
And boldly seek the fount of love;
That a. his spirit nears the sky
They bathe in Immortality.