Perpetuity
by Frank Dempster Sherman
I Heard a sweet voice singing in the night
A tender love-song written years ago,
To ease a poet's heart of that deep woe
Born of long absence from its dear delight;
And as the music like a bird took flight
Across the shadowed world and vanished so,
I thought of him who wrote it, -- did he know
How Time would keep his jewel-lyric bright?
O Poet of to-day, whose heart would sing
Some simple song of love, and sweet words give
To mate the melody that thrills the lute, --
Sing on, nor heed what lips are murmuring
To scorn your art: one perfect song shall live
For love and you long after they are mute!
Source:
Lyrics For A LuteCopyright 1890
Boston and New York, Houghton, Mifflin, and Company