| Higginson and Bigelow, comps. American Sonnets. 1891. | | | | Silence | | By Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849) |
| | | THERE are some qualities—some incorporate things, | |
| That have a double life, which thus is made | |
| A type of that twin entity which springs | |
| From matter and light, evinced in solid and shade. | |
| There is a two-fold Silence—sea and shore— | 5 |
| Body and soul. One dwells in lonely places, | |
| Newly with grass o’ergrown; some solemn graces, | |
| Some human memories and tearful lore, | |
| Render him terrorless: his name ’s “No More.” | |
| He is the corporate Silence: dread him not! | 10 |
| No power hath he of evil in himself; | |
| But should some urgent fate (untimely lot!) | |
| Bring thee to meet his shadow (nameless elf, | |
| That haunteth the lone regions where hath trod | |
| No foot of man), commend thyself to God! | 15 | | | |
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