Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE UNKNOWN SINGER, by RICHARD WATSON GILDER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE UNKNOWN SINGER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: One singer in the oratorio
Last Line: Made music visible not less than heard.
Subject(s): Singing & Singers; Songs


ONE singer in the oratorio,
Her only did I see, nor can forget;
Nor knew her name, nor have I seen her more,
Nor could I in the chorus find her voice.
Her swaying, gracious form, her face alight
As with an inner flame of melody --
These seized me; seemed the white embodiment
Of all the angelic voices richly poured
In a great rushing and harmonious flood.
That human form, all beautiful and bright,
Lived the pure, conscious, glorious instrument
Wherethrough the master made his message felt --
Conscious, but with no shallow vanity,
A breathing image of a thought in sound,
A living statue, symbol of a tone.
That which she sang she was; and, unaware,
Made music visible not less than heard.





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