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Literary
February 20, 1908
Valentine Democrat
Valentine, Cherry County, Nebraska
What is this article about?
Imagined scene of poet Thomas Gray reflecting on the phrase 'noiseless tenor of his way' from his Elegy, acknowledging its absurdity but retaining it for rhythmic flow under poetic license, then proceeding to the next stanza.
Clipping
OCR Quality
100%
Excellent
Full Text
The poet Gray had written the lines:
"Along the cool sequestered vale of life
He kept the noiseless tenor of his way."
"I know, of course," he said, "as a matter of fact, that the idea of a 'noiseless tenor' is utterly preposterous, but I've got to have something to satisfy the requirements of rhythm, and there is a smooth, flowing quality about that phrase that seems to give it the right jingle. I think I'll let it stand."
Reflecting, besides, that the case was fully covered by his poetic license, he cheerfully tackled the next stanza.
"Along the cool sequestered vale of life
He kept the noiseless tenor of his way."
"I know, of course," he said, "as a matter of fact, that the idea of a 'noiseless tenor' is utterly preposterous, but I've got to have something to satisfy the requirements of rhythm, and there is a smooth, flowing quality about that phrase that seems to give it the right jingle. I think I'll let it stand."
Reflecting, besides, that the case was fully covered by his poetic license, he cheerfully tackled the next stanza.
What sub-type of article is it?
Prose Fiction
What keywords are associated?
Thomas Gray
Elegy
Noiseless Tenor
Poetic License
Rhythm
Poetic Composition
Literary Details
Subject
Reflection On Composing Lines From Elegy Written In A Country Churchyard
Key Lines
"Along The Cool Sequestered Vale Of Life
He Kept The Noiseless Tenor Of His Way."
"I Know, Of Course," He Said, "As A Matter Of Fact, That The Idea Of A 'Noiseless Tenor' Is Utterly Preposterous, But I've Got To Have Something To Satisfy The Requirements Of Rhythm, And There Is A Smooth, Flowing Quality About That Phrase That Seems To Give It The Right Jingle. I Think I'll Let It Stand."