Riddle is a carrier for Dickinson. She used earthquake to express her view on earthly things, lower elements of human nature that discourage and haunt the world.
There is no Silence in the Earth－so silent
As that endured
Which uttered, would discourage Nature
And haunt the World.
As that endured
Which uttered, would discourage Nature
And haunt the World.
(F.1004/J.1004)
[1] no Silence: no peace.
[1] so silent: quiet; no sound and warning before the earthquake.
[1] Earth: a hint on earth-quake.
[2] endured: tolerated, sustained the pressure.
[3] uttered: discharged; roared.
[3] discourage, haunt: quake is the act of shaking or trembling, a reaction of losing courage and being haunted.
[4] haunt: to trouble, oppress; to visit frequently.
