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09 Apr 02 - 02:21 AM (#685941) Subject: Voiceless by O.W. Holmes From: GUEST,cookieless paddymac 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 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!
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09 Apr 02 - 09:11 PM (#686674) Subject: RE: BS: Voiceless by O.W. Holmes From: michaelr Paddymac - that's absolutely lovely! I copied it right away. Thanks for sharing! Michael |
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10 Apr 02 - 03:14 AM (#686840) Subject: RE: BS: Voiceless by O.W. Holmes From: georgeward Lovely indeed! For those who want to try the link, don't include "The Voiceless" that follows "html". -G |
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10 Apr 02 - 09:30 AM (#686951) Subject: RE: BS: Voiceless by O.W. Holmes From: GUEST,Pete Peterson 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) |
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10 Apr 02 - 11:35 AM (#687069) Subject: RE: BS: Voiceless by O.W. Holmes From: Amos 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!
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11 Apr 02 - 04:49 AM (#687693) Subject: RE: BS: Voiceless by O.W. Holmes From: Genie Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful Holmes work with us, Paddymac, and for formatting it, Amos! Genie |