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!

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.

By magic numbers and persuasive sound.

By magic numbers and persuasive sound.

Parent of sweetest sounds, yet mute forever.

Parent of sweetest sounds, yet mute forever.

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.'

And filled the air with barbarous dissonance.

And filled the air with barbarous dissonance.

To all proportioned terms he must dispense
And make the sound a picture of the sense.

To all proportioned terms he must dispense
And make the sound a picture of the sense.

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.

Their rising all at once was as the sound
Of thunder heard remote.

Their rising all at once was as the sound
Of thunder heard remote.