| James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902. | | | | March 26 | | Beethoven | | By Richard Watson Gilder (1844–1909) |
| | (Died March 26, 1827)
I CAME to a great city. Palaces | |
| Rose glittering, mile on mile. Here dwells the King, | |
| The Emperor and King; here lived, here ruled | |
| How many mountainous far-looming fames; | |
| Here is the crown of shadowy Charlemagne. | 5 |
| What housing of what glorious dignities! | |
| Yet in a narrow street, unfrequented, | |
| No palace near—one name upon a wall, | |
| And all these majesties seem small and shrunk: | |
| For here unto the bitter end abode | 10 |
| He who from pain wrought noble joy for men, | |
| He who from silence gave the world to song; | |
| For in his mind an awful music rose | |
| As when, in darkness of the under-seas, | |
| Currents tremendous over currents pour. | 15 |
| He heard the soundless tone, its voice he was, | |
| And he of vast humanity the voice, | |
| And his the empire of the human soul. | | | | |
|
|
