Author: William Allingham

---

That which he did not feel, he would not sing; 
What most he felt, religion it was to hide 
In a dumb darkling grotto, where the spring 
Of tremulous tears, arising unespied, 
Became a holy well that durst not glide 
Into the day with moil or murmuring; 
Whereto, as if to some unlawful thing, 
He sto]e, musing or praying at its side. 

But in the sun he sang with cheerful heart, 
Of coloured season and the whirling sphere, 
Warm household habitude and human mirth, 
The whole faith-blooded mystery of earth; 
And I, who had his secret, still could hear 
The grotto's whisper low through every part.

---

Type of Poem: Sonnet

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is an intriguing exploration of the dichotomy between public expression and private emotion, a theme handled with nuanced delicacy. The poet navigates the complexities of selective revelation, illuminating the human tendency to veil our deepest sentiments while openly celebrating the more surface joys of life.

The poem's structure is marked by a clear divide between the two contrasting spaces - the 'dumb darkling grotto' and the external world 'in the sun.' This serves to enhance the dichotomy at the heart of the poem. The tone is introspective and solemn in the first half, shifting to a more buoyant and vibrant mood in the second part, mirroring the poet’s journey from the shadowy recesses of personal sorrow to the sunlit realm of communal happiness.

The poet's use of metaphors, particularly the 'holy well' and the 'grotto', is noteworthy; these images evoke a sense of sacred silence around deep emotions that one dare not display. Simultaneously, the use of auditory imagery in phrases such as 'the grotto's whisper low' subtly hints at the persistent presence of these hidden feelings, even amidst the joyous celebration of life 'in the sun'. This adds a layer of depth to the poem, suggesting that our private sorrows quietly echo through our public happiness.