With changeful sound life beats upon the ear; Yet striving for release The most delighting string's Sweet jargonings, The happiest throat's Most easeful, lovely notes Fall back into a veiling silentness. Even 'mid the rumour of a moving host, Blackening the clear green earth, Vainly 'gainst that thin wall The trumpets call, Or with loud hum The smoke-bemuffled drum: From that high quietness no reply comes forth. When all at peace, two friends at ease alone Talk out their hearts, -- yet still, Between the grace-notes of The voice of love From each to each Trembles a rarer speech, And with its presence every pause doth fill. Unmoved it broods, this all-encompassing hush Of one who stooping near, No smallest stir will make Our fear to wake; But yet intent Upon some mystery bent, Hearkens the lightest word we say, or hear.
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Authorship:
- by Walter De la Mare (1873 - 1956), "Silence", appears in The Listeners and Other Poems, first published 1912 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by (Aynsley) Eugene Goossens, Sir (1893 - 1962), "Silence", published 1922 [ chorus and orchestra ] [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-01-13
Line count: 28
Word count: 141