Quote by W. H. Auden

Eagerly, musician,Sweep your string,So we may sing,Elated, optative,Our several voicesInterblending,Playfully contending,Not interferingBut co-inhering,For all withinThe cincture of the soundIs holy ground,Where all are Brothers,None faceless Others. Let mortals bewareOf words, forWith words we lie,Can say peaceWhen we mean war,Foul thought speak fairAnd promise falsely,But song is true:Let music for peaceBe the paradigm,For peace means to changeAt the right time,As the World-Clock,Goes Tick and Tock. So may the storyOf our human cityPresently moveLike music, whenBegotten notesNew notes beget,Making the flowingOf time a growing,Till what it could be,At last it is,Where even sadnessIs a form of gladness,Where Fate is Freedom,Grace and Surprise.

Eagerly, musician,Sweep your string,So we may sing,Elated, o

Summary

This quote emphasizes the power of music in promoting harmony and unity among people. It encourages musicians to play their instruments and have their voices intermix and compete playfully without interfering with each other. It emphasizes that within the bounds of music, all are equal and interconnected. The quote warns of the deceiving nature of words that can be used to lie and manipulate, while music remains true. It presents music as a paradigm for peace, illustrating that peace requires change and adaptation. Ultimately, the quote envisions a world where even sadness can be transformed into a form of joy, and where destiny becomes freedom, grace, and unexpected delight.

By W. H. Auden

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