BS: Voiceless by O.W. Holmes

Subject: Voiceless by O.W. Holmes
From: GUEST,cookieless paddymac
Date: 09 Apr 02 - 02:21 AM

Whilst aimlessly surfing, I happened on this marvelous little poem by the great American jurist. I immediately thought of the 'cat as a collection of folks who would truly appreciate it. Perhaps a Joe Clone could convert the address to a proper BCT?

http://www.eldritchpress.org/owh/vless.html
The Voiceless

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

1858

WE count the broken lyres that rest Where the sweet wailing singers slumber, But o'er their silent sister's breast The wild-flowers who will stoop to number? A few can touch the magic string, And noisy Fame is proud to win them:-- Alas for those that never sing, But die with all their music in them!

Nay, grieve not for the dead alone Whose song has told their hearts' sad story,-- Weep for the voiceless, who have known The cross without the crown of glory! Not where Leucadian breezes sweep O'er Sappho's memory-haunted billow, But where the glistening night-dews weep On nameless sorrow's churchyard pillow.

O hearts that break and give no sign Save whitening lip and fading tresses, Till Death pours out his longed-for wine Slow-dropped from Misery's crushing presses,-- If singing breath or echoing chord To every hidden pang were given, What endless melodies were poured, As sad as earth, as sweet as heaven!

Subject: RE: BS: Voiceless by O.W. Holmes
From: michaelr
Date: 09 Apr 02 - 09:11 PM

Paddymac - that's absolutely lovely! I copied it right away. Thanks for sharing!

Michael

Subject: RE: BS: Voiceless by O.W. Holmes
From: georgeward
Date: 10 Apr 02 - 03:14 AM

Lovely indeed! For those who want to try the link, don't include "The Voiceless" that follows "html". -G

Subject: RE: BS: Voiceless by O.W. Holmes
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson
Date: 10 Apr 02 - 09:30 AM

anybody know which Holmes this was? the Autocrat of the Breakfast Table (my guess) or his son (early 20s at the time, but Bryant wropte Thanatopsis at about that age)

Subject: RE: BS: Voiceless by O.W. Holmes
From: Amos
Date: 10 Apr 02 - 11:35 AM

The Voiceless

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

1858

WE count the broken lyres that rest

Where the sweet wailing singers slumber,

But o'er their silent sister's breast

The wild-flowers who will stoop to number?

A few can touch the magic string,

And noisy Fame is proud to win them:--

Alas for those that never sing,

But die with all their music in them!

Nay, grieve not for the dead alone

Whose song has told their hearts' sad story,--

Weep for the voiceless, who have known

The cross without the crown of glory!

Not where Leucadian breezes sweep

O'er Sappho's memory-haunted billow,

But where the glistening night-dews weep

On nameless sorrow's churchyard pillow.

O hearts that break and give no sign

Save whitening lip and fading tresses,

Till Death pours out his longed-for wine

Slow-dropped from Misery's crushing presses,--

If singing breath or echoing chord

To every hidden pang were given,

What endless melodies were poured,

As sad as earth, as sweet as heaven!

Subject: RE: BS: Voiceless by O.W. Holmes
From: Genie
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 04:49 AM

Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful Holmes work with us, Paddymac, and for formatting it, Amos!

Genie