Edgar Allan Poe

Silence

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,) commend thyself to God!