University of Virginia Library

I.
REPRESENTATIVE SOUNDS

A young girl's perfect ringing silvery laugh;
The strange slow sullen plunge of waves that break;
The ripple of leafage which the June winds shake;
The lisp of rivers which the breezes quaff;
The flapping of the flag around its staff;
The subtle hissing of the sinuous snake;
The sighing of reeds upon the mountain-lake;
The salmon's fierce splash, bleeding from the gaff;—
The cheer of legions thundering through the breach;
The songs of children, and their thoughtless glee;
A woman's heartfelt moan of dull despair;
The strong man's deep groan when the surgeons reach
The rankling bullet; crash of falling tree;
The light soft sound of heavy back-flung hair.