The Letter H (19th century poem into song)

Song: The Letter H
Lyrics: 18th century poem
Music & Voices: ai

[verse1]
'Twas whispered in heaven, 'twas muttered in hell,
And echo caught faintly, the sound as it fell,
On the confines of earth, 'twas permitted to rest,
And the depths of the ocean, its presence confessed.

Twill be found on the sphere, when 'tis riven asunder,
'Tis seen in the lightning, and heard in the thunder,
'Twas allotted to man, from his earliest breath,
It assists at his birth and attends him in death.

[verse2]
Presides o'er his happiness, honor, and health,
Is the prop of his house, and the end of his wealth,
In the heap of the miser, 'tis hoarded with care,
But is sure to be lost, in his prodigal heir,

It begins every hope, every wish it must bound,
It prays with hermit, with the monarchs is crowned,
Without it the soldier, and seaman may roam,
But wo to the wretch, that expels it from home.

[verse3]
In the whispers of conscience, 'tis sure to be found,
Nor e'en in the whirlwind, of passion is drowned,
'Twill soften the heart, though deaf to the ear,
'Twill make it acutely, and constantly hear,

But, in short, let it rest, like a beautiful flower,
Oh! Breathe on it softly, it dies in an hour.
Can you answer the riddle, don't get it wrong,
Answer to this enigma, in the title of this song.