Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By Richard WatsonGilder

915 Of One Who Neither Sees Nor Hears

SHE lives in light, not shadow;

Not silence, but the sound

Which thrills the stars of heaven

And trembles from the ground.

She breathes a finer ether,

Beholds a keener sun;

In her supernal being

Music and light are one.

Unknown the subtle senses

That lead her through the day;

Love, light, and song and color

Come by another way.

Sight brings she to the seeing,

New song to those that hear;

Her braver spirit sounding

Where mortals fail and fear.

She at the heart of being

Serene and glad doth dwell;

Spirit with scarce a veil of flesh;

A soul made visible.

Or is it only a lovely girl,

With flowers at her maiden breast?

—Helen, here is a book of song

From the poet who loves you best.