TELL me, do ye never hear it when the wind is from the sea? Not the thunder-roll of billows, nor the moaning of the bars, Nor the throb of far-off engines; it must something rarer be— Music, music that is silent like the music of the stars. For they played, those brave musicians, in their places as before, Though they felt the chilling Shadow closing slowly round them all; Played to keep the hearts up of the men whose need was sore; Played as soldiers march with banners when they march to fight and fall. Did not think it any marvel, or that nothing mattered now; Never dreamed the world would praise them, if indeed it ever knew— One may of the crown be worthy though it pass untouched his brow— And the music was immortal just because their hearts were true. Passed into the Silence, playing; and the music is not done: God and valor are not ended when the battle flags are furled: Finer than what any master from his instrument e'er won Was that loyal note of courage which goes singing through the world! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FLOWER OF FINAE by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 26 by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN TO MRS. AIKIN by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD COWBOY'S COMPLAINT by SQUIRE OMAR BARKER HARMONIES OF THE EVENING by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE THE ALBATROSS by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE EPITAPH ON A CAT by JOACHIM DU BELLAY |