"It is the glory and good of Art, That Art remains the one way possible Of speaking truth, to mouths like mine at least"

Art is celebrated here not simply as a form of personal expression, but as a necessary and noble pursuit. The “glory and good of Art” invokes a sense of reverence; art possesses intrinsic worth and beneficial influence. Through these phrases, art is elevated beyond simple craft, it becomes both luminous and morally purposeful. Its "glory" reflects both its beauty and its capacity to inspire awe, while its "good" points to the positive role it plays in human life, encouraging honesty and perhaps emotional catharsis.

For some, including the speaker, art is “the one way possible / Of speaking truth.” This line acknowledges that straightforward communication of deep truths may be difficult or even impossible through ordinary language. Some realities, emotional experiences, nuanced insights, or painful memories, cannot always be spoken directly. Art, in all its manifold forms, offers an indirect but uniquely honest path. Its metaphors, symbols, and narrative structures create a safe avenue for difficult truths to emerge. Paintings, poems, and music often give voice to private experiences or universal anxieties that might otherwise go unheard or misunderstood if attempted through prosaic speech.

The emphasis on “mouths like mine at least” personalizes the idea. Not everyone experiences difficulty speaking truth in their daily lives, but for some, those perhaps more introspective, reserved, or touched by unique emotional currents, art becomes the chosen or necessary medium. Here the speaker alludes to a kind of inarticulacy that afflicts many sensible souls; when feelings or insights are too deep, too subtle, or too socially fraught to be said aloud, they seek shape in art. For such individuals, art is not only a refuge but a vital channel through which they can authentically reveal themselves and connect with others. Art’s glory, therefore, lies in its singular ability to embody and transmit truth in ways that other forms of communication cannot match.