Sonnet to Charles J O'Malley

As when above orchestral undertone, / The plaining wail of muted violin, / The hushed oböe and the distant din,

Of muffled drum or viol's raucous groan--

Sudden arises one pure voice-like tone, / A silver trumpet's tongue that stirs the soul / To feel the theme, and the harmonious whole

A sonant setting seems for that alone;

So, high above earth's murmurous stir and strife, / Riseth thy voice in clear enringing song-- / No minor plaint of dull despairing pain,

But one true note of hope that bids us long / For higher things; and all the din of life / Seems to subserve the sweetness of thy strain.