Silence—A Sonnet

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—
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!
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!