Glory of architect, glory of painter, and sculptor, and bard, <br />Living forever in temple and picture and statue and song, -- <br />Look how the world with the lights that they lit is illumined and starred, <br />Brief was the flame of their life, but the lamps of their art burn long! <br /> <br />Where is the Master of Music, and how has he vanished away? <br />Where is the work that he wrought with his wonderful art in the air? <br />Gone, -- it is gone like the glow on the cloud at the close of the day! <br />The Master has finished his work, and the glory of music is -- where? <br /> <br />Once, at the wave of his wand, all the billows of musical sound <br />Followed his will, as the sea was ruled by the prophet of old: <br />Now that his hand is relaxed, and his rod has dropped to the ground, <br />Silent and dark are the shores where the marvellous harmonies rolled! <br /> <br />Nay, but not silent the hearts that were filled by that life-giving sea; <br />Deeper and purer forever the tides of their being will roll, <br />Grateful and joyful, O Master, because they have listened to thee, -- <br />The glory of music endures in the depths of the human soul.<br /><br />Henry Van Dyke<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/master-of-music/
