Reminiscências

That music always round me, unceasing, unbeginning --

yet long untaught I did not hear;

But now the chorus I hear, and am elated;

A tenor, strong, ascending, with power and health,

with glad notes of day-break I hear,

A soprano, at intervals, sailing buoyantly over the tops of immense waves,

A transparent bass, shuddering lusciously under and through the universe,

The triumphant tutti -- the funeral wailings, with sweet flutes and violins --

all these I fill myself with;

I hear not the volumes of sound merely -- I am moved by the exquisite meanings,

I listen to the different voices winding in and out, striving,

contending with fiery vehemence to excel each other in emotion;

I do not think the performers know themselves --

but now I think I begin to know them.