Memoirs of Anne C. L. Botta/Accordance

by Anne Lynch Botta

          He who with bold and skilful hand sweeps o'er
          The organ-keys of some cathedral pile,
          Flooding with music, vault, and nave, and aisle,
          Though on his ear falls but a thunderous roar.
          In the composer's lofty motive free,
          Knows well that all that temple, vast and dim,
          Thrills to its base with anthem, psalm, and hymn,
          True to the changeless laws of harmony.
          So he who on these clanging chords of life,
          With firm, sweet touch plays the Great Master's score,
          Of truth, and love, and duty, evermore,
          Knows, too, that far beyond this roar and strife,
          Though he may never hear, in the true time,
          These notes must all accord in symphonies sublime.