THERE are whom Fate's obscure decree Dooms in deep solitude to be; For whom no word that mortal spake The sullen silence comes to break; And e'en the music of the Spheres Falls only on unheeding ears. For them, life's loud processions seem A noiseless and unmeaning dream. Around their prison, joyous life Echoes with noise of fruitful strife. Yet, to their cells no sound may come, But all the universe is dumb. Ah! strange that while all things rejoice Man only should be wanting voice! Ah! strange that morning-song of bird By living ears is never heard! Nor mighty master-music dim, Nor Heaven-thrilled note of soaring hymn, Nor rippling laugh of happy child, Nor the Deep's thunder-voices wild! Unreached by life's tumultuous sound Even as the dead, beneath the ground. And still, though all creation groan, Unmoved in loneliness alone. Ah, cruel fate! unequal doom That sinks the innocent in gloom! What first the depths of chaos stirred But the Ineffable Spoken Word? What else our inmost souls can reach Like that Divinest Gift of Speech? Ah, hapless fate that thus deprives Of half their life unconscious lives! Ah! could a soft compassion gain To soothe the victim's lonely pain! What if with knowledge, love combined, Can wake the undeveloped mind, And without speech or sound can teach The use of sound alike and speech; To those dumb solitudes profound Convey some blessed ghost of sound, And kindle from the dormant sense Bright sparks of new intelligence; Assist the undeveloped brain New loftier summits to attain, Till knowledge grow the guide of love, And love turned Heavenward point above; And the illumined soul confess The innate love of Righteousness! Surely a miracle it is Which works so blest a change as this! |