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RETURN.
Hath ever man sung as you sing, eagerly mellow and
- splendid,
Yet singing alone for the singing, unconscious how sweet
- and strong ?
Uttering unconscious of rhythm, in waves of inspiration,
- Full of the passion that guides and bids the song to swell ;
Seeking no lover to listen to pleasure's pure elation ;
- Seeking the whole true song, unknowing how ill or how
- well.
Here is our dearest theme where skies are blue and brightest,
- To sing a single song in places that love it best ;
Freighting the happy breeze when snowy clouds are lightest.
- Making a song to cease not when the singer is dumb in
- rest.
Flooding the loveless heart with a strange and unknown
- fire;
Warmth, and the passion to live making deep the theme
- of the song —
This is thy mission, sweet singer, so speak to the strings
- of my lyre ;
Dull and untuned is my heart till its music be awakened
- and strong.
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