An inkling of an air appears from the silence.

Silence, once thought familiar, abandoned with ease

As the harmony swells, and becomes all sense,

All that I feel. Emotion springs, vibrant, cerise,

Fervent fire, raging as the hymn takes flight;

It has conquered all, become all; the world,

All things, lost to utter hope, elation, and delight;

Timeless, eternal, blazing, divine joy unfurled!

The climax peals; the melody transcends all.

Suddenly, all slows, recedes. All is perishing.

A grim silence closes in, an austere pall.

The chorus subsides—and a part of my being.

That now wretched quiet rings, and mute I,

I had never thought that music could die.