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The Tower of Babel

A Poetical Drama: By Alfred Austin
Austin, Alfred (1835-1913)

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INTERLUDES
  
A TUSCULAN QUESTION.

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252

A TUSCULAN QUESTION.

I

One day as on an ass I rode,
By many a twisting gully,
To where once stood the famed abode
Of philosophic Tully,

II

A shepherd lad with hat aslouch
Was singing to his flock O;
I pulled my money from my pouch,
And chucked him a baiocco.

III

A moment gone, and with his psalm
The hills and woods were ringing;
But when the copper touched his palm,
Sudden he ceased his singing.
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IV

Ah! like to bees that cease to hum,
When pressing on for honey,
So doth the singing soul grow dumb,
Intent on clogging money.

V

Kind Heaven! forbid that ever I
Should sink in golden torpor!
If, living, I may sing, I'll die
Contentedly a pauper.
Frascati,May 1863.
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