Poems by Elizabeth Akers (Florence Percy)

In this world, so wide and lonesome,
One dear friend have I,—
One whose loving presence cheers me
Under every sky:
Never care, nor pain, nor sorrow
Comes when she is nigh;—
Who so blest as I?

She has neither wealth nor station,
Gems nor precious things;
She has only long, fair tresses,
And most glorious wings;
She can neither strive nor labor:
What of that? she sings,—
Wondrously she sings!

Once, as wearily we wandered
Over moor and plain,
Up the hills and down the valleys,
In the sun and rain,
Said I, softly, “Let some other
Hear this marvellous strain,
Else you sing in vain.

147

“Sing until the deaf ones listen,—
Sing and win a name;
Sing till human hearts, awakened,
Yield you all you claim;—
Sing and make the worldlings wonder,
Angel, sing for Fame!
Prithee sing for Fame!”

Then she tried a simple measure,
Faint and quivering;
But her sweet voice failed and trembled,
Till, poor timid thing!
All the wise ones sneered and whispered,
And she would not sing,—
No, she would not sing.

Then I said, “We two are friendless,
Poor and unconsoled;
I am growing sad and hungry,
Weary, faint, and cold:
Since you will not sing for Glory,
Angel, sing for Gold,—
Prithee sing for Gold!”

148

So the throng stood still and listened
With expectant ears;
But the sweet-voiced singer faltered,
Full of doubts and fears,
And the soul-enchanting music
Failed in sobs and tears,—
Bitter sobs and tears!

“Fairer than a morning blossom,
Gentler than a dove,
Purer than the sky when Hesper
Bares his brow above,—
Since you crave not Gold nor Glory,
Angel, sing for Love,—
Prithee sing for Love!”

Then she sang, O most divinely!
With no pause or fear,—
Sang until the best and proudest
Lent an eager ear:
But the true soul of her music
Only one can hear,—
One alone can hear!

University of Virginia Library

THE SINGER.