A Thought

By John Hall Ingham (1860–1931)

Suggested by the death of Fanny Kemble, January 15, 1893.

THE SOUL of Man, evolving more and more

Life’s deeper meaning, slights the outer round

Of mere display. The thrill that tells the ground

Spring is above and Winter’s bondage o’er,

The melodies that ripple on the shore,—

Awake emotions stormy and profound

As in the savage breast the thunderous sound

Of avalanches or the earthquake’s roar.

Thus she in whom men’s memories rejoice

Forsook the mimic stage nor could endure

The noisy mockeries that so arouse

The raptures of the mob.—In that one voice

More sweetly sang the birds on Arden’s boughs,

More fiercely raged the madness of the Moor.