There is a silent hour within these walls -- And only one, amidst a shouting year -- When on the glad, excited children falls The sudden, sombre shadow of a fear Blended with speechless awe. Now let the ear For once be lapped in peace; for once the dear And solemn graciousness of cloistered halls Revives; the souls of the immortals, near, Break almost to us from their shrouds and palls. CLANG! and the one still hour is stricken dead, Less than the shadow of old smoke. The power Of crashing cataracts, lightning overhead, Steam, rivets, ordnance, dynamite, meteor shower Bursts from each door. The hallowed wraiths are fled. Life has escaped its thralldom of an hour. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE: 13 by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE SLEEP by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING MY AIN COUNTRIE by MARY LEE DEMAREST GEORGE CRABBE by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON MONNA INNOMINATA, A SONNET OF SONNETS: 2 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI |