What's the business,
That such a hideous trumpet calls to parley
The sleepers of the house? Speak, read more

What's the business,
That such a hideous trumpet calls to parley
The sleepers of the house? Speak, speak!

My eyes are dim with childish tears,
My heart is idly stirred,
For the same sound is read more

My eyes are dim with childish tears,
My heart is idly stirred,
For the same sound is in my ears
Which in those days I heard.

I hear a sound so fine there's nothing lives
'Twixt it and silence.

I hear a sound so fine there's nothing lives
'Twixt it and silence.

The sound must seem an echo to the sense.

The sound must seem an echo to the sense.

I did never know so full a voice issue from so empty a heart; but
the saying is true, read more

I did never know so full a voice issue from so empty a heart; but
the saying is true, 'The empty vessel makes the greatest sound.'

Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds,
At which the universal host up sent
A shout that tore hell's read more

Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds,
At which the universal host up sent
A shout that tore hell's concave, and beyond
Frighted the reign of Chaos and old Night.

A noise like of a hidden brook
In the leafy month of June,
That to the sleeping read more

A noise like of a hidden brook
In the leafy month of June,
That to the sleeping woods all night
Singeth a quiet tune.

And filled the air with barbarous dissonance.

And filled the air with barbarous dissonance.

A thousand trills and quivering sounds
In airy circles o'er us fly,
Till, wafted by a gentle read more

A thousand trills and quivering sounds
In airy circles o'er us fly,
Till, wafted by a gentle breeze,
They faint and languish by degrees,
And at a distance die.