Letter from Anna Seward to Rev. Richard Sykes, 26 June 1806

urn:iso:std:iso:639:ed-3:eng

282–283

text excerpt

“He giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth water upon the fields” […] The above quotation from divine song was set to music by the late Orpheus of the choirs, Dr Green [sic], and forms part of an anthem. A strain of sweetness and devotion, never exceeded, gives tenfold charm to that lovely acknowledgment. O how the silver tones of dear, lost Saville’s voice, the enthusiasm and grace of his expression, gave the last exquisite effect to sacred poetry and sacred music in combination. Several years past, after a long drought, which threatened to destroy the harvest, a plenteous, yet soft, shower descended. The evening was warm, and the clouds, which had been many days of flattering gloom, had not increased in their lower. Some friends were with me in the saloon, the doors of which were opened on the lawn. The long-expected, long-desired rain dropt silently, yet amply, down. Mr S. immediately stept to the door, and, with clasped hands and moist uplifted eyes, sung that super-human strain. We all caught his grateful piety, and shed those tears, which to shed, seems a foretaste of heaven.

excerpt from 'Letter from Anna Seward to Rev. Richard Sykes, 26 June 1806' pp. 282–283 (191 words)

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1535814093193