The one moves the cerebral foliage in waves of recumbent beauty like a gentle wind passing over a prairie of tall grass and flowers: the other strikes a blow that resounds through the wilderness of mind like rolling thunder through a forest of oaks. The one fails when strong commotions and angry elements agitate the public peace: the other can ride upon the whirlwind, direct the tornado, and rule the storm.
4. Aspirated orotund quality, moderate force, very slow movement, very low pitch, median stress.
Tread softly, bow the head, in reverent silence bow:
No passing bell doth toll, yet an immortal soul
Is passing now.
Stranger, however great, with lowly reverence bow:
There's one in that poor shed, one by that paltry bed,
Greater than thou.
Beneath that beggar's roof, lo! Death doth keep his state.
Enter, no crowds attend; enter, no guards defend
This palace-gate.
That pavement damp and cold no smiling courtiers tread:
One silent woman stands, lifting with meagre hands
A dying head.
No mingling voices sound,—an infant wail alone:
A sob suppressed, again that short deep gasp, and then
The parting groan.
Oh change! oh wondrous change! burst are the prison-bars:
This moment there, so low, so agonized; and now
Beyond the stars!
Oh change, stupendous change! there lies the soulless clod:
The sun eternal breaks, the new immortal wakes,—
Wakes with his God!