VOICES.
Reading edition
Through hoary centuries, through History’s page, Like tongues of fire unquench’d, undimm’d by age, Whisper the voices, living, clear and true, The crust of Time and changes piercing through; Sometimes like trumpets’ martial tones they ring— Anon, scarce heard, in trembling accents sing, Yet there is life in what they tell and say, A life nor years nor days can sweep away: From out the Past, from out the silent grave, From the lone deep where beats the ceaseless wave, They yearn, they rise, they plead with deathless tone: From hill, from field, from cot, from kingly throne They bring their witness;—if we list or learn, The days shall tell of each one in his turn:— Oh, who shall say a voice, however weak, Its message doth not bear—its lesson speak!