There are some qualities - some incorporate things
That have a double life, which thus is made
A type of that twin entity which springs
From matter and light, evinced in solid and shade.
There is a two-fold silence - sea and shore -
Body and soul. One dwells in lonely places,
Newly with grass o' ergrown; some solemn graces,
Some human memories and tearful lore,
Render him terrorless: his name's "No More".
He is the corporate Silence: dread him not !
No power hath he of evil in himself;
But should some urgent fate (untimely lot !)
Bring thee to meet his shadow (nameless elf,
That haunteth the lone regions where hath trod
No foot of man), comment thyself to God !
[Edgar Allan Poe, "Silence"]
"Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto"
"Quand ch'aj rivrà l'ora pi granda: l'ultima
E ch'am ciamran lon ch'i l'hai fait ed bel,
Mi rispondrai ch'i l'hai guardà le nivole:
Le nivole ch'a van... Travers al cel"
[Nino Costa]
