Harp of the North Farewell!

Read 'Harp of the North Farewell!' by 'Sir Walter Scott' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

Harp of the North Farewell! by Sir Walter Scott

 Harp of the North, farewell! The hills grow dark, 
On purple peaks a deeper shade descending; 
In twilight copse the glow-worm lights her spark, 
The deer, half-seen, are to the covert wending. 
Resume thy wizard elm! the fountain lending, 
And the wild breeze, thy wilder minstrelsy; 
Thy numbers sweet with nature’s vespers blending, 
With distant echo from the fold and lea, 
And herd-boy’s evening pipe, and hum of housing bee. 

Yet, once again, farewell, thou Minstrel Harp! 
Yet, once again, forgive my feeble sway, 
And little reck I of the censure sharp 
May idly cavil at an idle lay. 
Much have I owed thy strains on life’s long way, 
Through secret woes the world has never known, 
When on the weary night dawned wearier day, 
And bitterer was the grief devoured alone.— 
That I o’erlive such woes, Enchantress! is thine own. 

Hark! as my lingering footsteps slow retire, 
Some spirit of the Air has waked thy string! 
’Tis now a seraph bold, with touch of fire, 
’Tis now the brush of Fairy’s frolic wing. 
Receding now, the dying numbers ring 
Fainter and fainter down the rugged dell; 
And now the mountain breezes scarcely bring 
A wandering witch-note of the distant spell— 
And now, ’tis silent all!—Enchantress, fare thee well!

Form: Ode Comments

Comments About This Poem

Share your interpretation, favorite passage, or thoughts about this famous poem. Please provide an in-depth and meaningful comment.

  • What do you think the poet was trying to say?
  • Which line had the biggest impact on you?
  • How does this poem relate to modern life?
  • What literary devices did you notice?
No comments have been posted yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace