That Music Always Round Me

1THAT music always round me, unceasing, unbeginning—yet long untaught I did not hear;

2But now the chorus I hear, and am elated;

3A tenor, strong, ascending, with power and health, with glad notes of day-break I hear,

4A soprano, at intervals, sailing buoyantly over the tops of immense waves,

5A transparent bass, shuddering lusciously under and through the universe,

6The triumphant tutti—the funeral wailings, with sweet flutes and violins—all

7 these I

8 fill myself with;

9I hear not the volumes of sound merely—I am moved by the exquisite meanings,

10I listen to the different voices winding in and out, striving, contending with fiery

11 vehemence

12 to excel each other in emotion;

13I do not think the performers know themselves—but now I think I begin to know them.