Silence

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.