Belov'd of all to whom that Muse is dear <br />Who hid her spirit of rapture from the Greek, <br />Whereby our art excelleth the antique, <br />Perfecting formal beauty to the ear; <br />Thou that hast been in England many a year <br />The interpreter who left us nought to seek, <br />Making Beethoven's inmost passion speak, <br />Bringing the soul of great Sebastian near. <br />Their music liveth ever, and 'tis just <br />That thou, good Joachim, so high thy skill, <br />Rank (as thou shalt upon the heavenly hill) <br />Laurel'd with them, for thy ennobling trust <br />Remember'd when thy loving hand is still <br />And every ear that heard thee stopt with dust.<br /><br />Robert Seymour Bridges<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-joseph-joachim/
