Three Silences there are: the first of speech,
       &nbsp The second of desire, the third of thought;
       &nbsp This is the lore a Spanish monk, distraught
       &nbsp With dreams and visions, was the first to teach.
These Silences, commingling each with each,
       &nbsp Made up the perfect Silence, that he sought
       &nbsp And prayed for, and wherein at times he caught
       &nbsp Mysterious sounds from realms beyond our reach.
O thou, whose daily life anticipates
       &nbsp The life to come, and in whose thought and word
       &nbsp The spiritual world preponderates.
Hermit of Amesbury! thou too hast heard
       &nbsp Voices and melodies from beyond the gates,
       &nbsp And speakest only when thy soul is stirred!