| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| From “With Sa’di in the Garden.” II. Song without a Sound |
| | | Sir Edwin Arnold (1832–1904) |
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| THE BULBUL wail’d, “Oh, Rose! all night I sing, | |
| And Thou, Beloved! utterest not one thing.” | |
| “Dear Bird!” she answer’d, “scent and blossoming | |
| Are music of my Song without a sound.” | |
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| The Cypress to the Tulip spake: “What bliss | 5 |
| Seest thou in sunshine, dancing still like this?” | |
| “My cup,” the Tulip said, “the wind’s lips kiss; | |
| Dancing I hear the Song without a sound.” | |
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| The gray Owl hooted to the Dove at morn, | |
| “Why art thou happy on thy junglethorn?” | 10 |
| “Hearest thou not,” she cooed, “o’er Earth’s face borne | |
| This music of the Song without a sound?” | |
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| “Ah, Darweesh!” moan’d a King, “Vainly I pray | |
| For Allah’s comfort, kneeling day by day.” | |
| “Sultan!” quoth he, “be meek, and hear alway | 15 |
| The music of His Mercy without sound.” | |
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| “Poet!” a Queen sigh’d, “why alone to thee | |
| Come visions of that world we cannot see— | |
| Not great nor rich?” “I borrow minstrelsy,” | |
| Smiling he said, “from Songs without a sound.” | 20 |
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| Shirîn-i-man! dear Lover! true and sweet, | |
| Ask no more if I love, nor kiss my feet; | |
| But hear, with cheek against my bosom’s beat, | |
| The music of the Song without a sound! | |
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