POETRY.

A VISION OF SOUND.

RUSH of waves ! where waters meet : Roll of wheels along the street !

Clatt'ring hoofs that nearer come, Barking dogs that guard their home !

Wide-stretch'd wings that cleave the sky—

As the cawing rooks home fly !

Music ! (when the monarch-mind Doth his world, as subjects, bind !) Whether great Beethoven thunder !

Or 'tis Bach who rends asunder Veil that shelters the Unseen !

Or Chopin's airy waltzes queen Far heights of fancy ! or a Glee Win a hearing presently !

Or sonorous organ rise To wondrous flute-like harmonies !

Laughter! crying ! creaking door—

Fall of flail on threshing-floor- Whistling engine ! thunder hoarse !

Winds to try the fir-trees' force !

Buzzing gnat, or drowsy bee !

Drip of rain-drops—" one," " two," " three "!

Clock ! that weighs the passing time !

Bells ! that clanging changes chime Wind-transported; and proclaim Which way fitful breezes came !

These—and such as these—ah me !

Fast can fill the vacancy !

Rumbling earth that quakes ! and sea That no more at rest may be !

Pebbles, through which down apace Wave-rejoining-wave-drops race !

Trumpet-blare ! Fierce snort of funnel, Sudden rush of train through tunnel, Breaking stillness of the night By the roaring of its flight 1 Grind of upper-millstone, worn By the grit of golden corn!

Knife-edge chirp of flittermouse Hovering about the house!

Crickets ! (elfish bellows blowing, Hearthstone to their comrades showing !'

Lowing oxen ! grunting swine Rustle of soft silk gowns fine!

Rustle of the autumn leaves !

Rustle of the barley sheaves !

Shout of children tossing hay Through the clear long summer's day !

Tender song of nightingale Breaking stillness ! while the pale Cold moon shines on us Redbreast's ditty, Sparrow's chirp in roaring city, Linnet's twitter on the tree Swaying round him airily !

Lark's low tone—while prone he lies Ere his clear song wake the skies ! Thrush's soft melodious note ! Blackbird's gurgle!. while with throat Wide-op'd, many a turn he sings And counter-turn, on men and things, Flinging wing-supporting joy Broadcast—Gladness sans alloy ! These, and more and such as they May vibrate on the air to-day- Or within the silent night Vex the wearied, or delight 1 Moor-hen's startled midnight cry Warning of the poacher nigh! Ghostly sound of great white owl— Snoring 'neath his feather'd cowl ! Artillery of summer night That wraps the world in blinding light 1 Crow of haughty Chanticleer Heralding the dawn as near, Sound of wind among the reeds ! Bleating lambs ! or neighing steeds ! Squeak of wainscot-shelter'd mouse— Whirr of heavy-winged grouse ! Bell of stag across the glen ! Roll of drums ! and march of men ! Crackling fire !—the shot of coal Flung by tons into the hole ! Cats ! the witch-imps ! ever roaming O'er the dark roofs in the gloaming I Drive of skates upon the ice, Needle, graving quaint devieel Noisy factory's ceaseless din When the busy Hands are in ! Peaceful sound of cottage loom, (Close where water-lilies bloom :) Farrier's blows, that fall full fast ! Post-horn ! as the coach whirls past ! Splash of fishes in a pool Where they shelter in the cool From day's noon-tide (nor turn by To entrap the gadding fly !) Plunge of water-rat that goes A header, under terrier's nose ! Yell ! that at the winning-post Tells the Fav'rite's won,—or lost ! These, and every other sound That in wide world doth abound !— Corncrake ! cuckoo ! flight of plover ! Cry of hounds that draw the cover, Joyful sound of view-halloo !- Jackals' wailing (doleful crew !) Echoes of far-distant lands Held in mem'ry's fateful bands ! Eight-bells summons a-board ship ! Crack of foreign post-boy's whip, Thud of colts'-hoofs, home that pelt, Driven o'er the flow'ring Veldt : Squeal of shepherds' pipes, that come From where ragged peasants roam O'er Campagna ! as with song They, dancing, drive the day along !

Hyaenas that wildly laugh !

(Drunk with hunger !)—plaint of calf !

Leaping flames that lick the air !

Growl of leopard in his lair !

Scream of parrots, as they fly Athwart the hot unclouded sky !

Monkeys' chatter as they mock Pursuit ; and swing from rock to rock : Groaning camels, that complain Like prison'd souls in speechless pain : Heavy creek of water-wheel

As o'er and o'er the pitchers reel—

While drudging beast, with eyes close-bound Makes his daily Nile-bank round ; Hailstorm of swift musketry !

Cannons booming !—by and bye War's ahrum ! (" Here come I "At whose advent ye shall die !") These, and all that has been heard

Since erst was spoke an ntter'd word,—

These, and all that has been read, May float into the dreaming head Antagonists to rest ! or come To chase the hope of silence home!

Pleasing, paining, to and fro Hither flit ! and thither go !

Jar or jangle in the mind—

These, or others it may find Or, by concord and device Fit with thought, and harmonise!

How-so-much they tuneful be, None of these enthralleth me!

These! and thousands such as they Sad or merry ! grave or gay !

One Sound puts other sounds to flight!

One Sound—makes pain, or joy, delight !

All else as Silence' self I hold Whenever the true Hour is told !

One Sound, the never-elsewhere-found, One Sound ! that is much more than sound One Sound—in which all virtue's wrought 1 One Sound in which is fus'd all thought!

A Sound to bid each heartache fly, And life beat time to ecstacy !

One Sound; (above thy steadfast tread—

More lov'd than all that comes instead) One Sound to make my heart rejoice !

The long'd-for music of Thy Voice.

M. FREER..