Silent and dark is the source of yon river, Whose birth-place we know not, and seek not to know, Though mild as the flight of the shaft from yon quiver, Is the course of its waves as in music they flow. Oh, my heart, and my song, which is as my heart's flowing, Read thy fate in yon river, for such is thine own! 'Mid those the chief praise on thy music bestowing, Who cares for the lips from whence issue the tone? Dark as its birth-place, so dark is my spirit, Whence yet the sweet waters of melody come: 'Tis the long after-course, not the source, will inherit The beauty and glory of sunshine and fame. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DEXTER GORDON: COPENHAGEN/AVERY FISHER HALL by KAREN SWENSON ST. FRANCIS EINSTEIN OF THE DAFFODILS (FIRST VERSION) by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS THE HUMAN ABSTRACT, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE THE MASK by CLARISSA SCOTT DELANY THE STIRRUP-CUP by JOHN MILTON HAY THE BABIE by JEREMIAH EAMES RANKIN THE HOUSE OF LIFE: 70. THE HILL-SUMMIT by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI THE OLD MAN'S COMFORTS AND HOW HE GAINED THEM by ROBERT SOUTHEY |