Merops
Merops - meaning Summary
One Word, Many Silences
Emerson’s short lyric explores the inadequacy and selectivity of human speech when confronting the divine or sublime. The speaker accepts that transcendent things remain unchanged regardless of fame or words. Inspired presences confer on him a single apt phrase and innumerable silences, suggesting that some truths require restraint. The poem contrasts abundant potential language with the single necessary utterance, implying limits on expression before the mysteries of existence.
Read Complete AnalysesWhat care I, so they stand the same,— Things of the heavenly mind,— How long the power to give them fame Tarries yet behind? Thus far to-day your favors reach, O fair, appeasing Presences! Ye taught my lips a single speech, And a thousand silences. Space grants beyond his fated road No inch to the god of day, And copious language still bestowed One word, no more, to say.
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