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MY MUSE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Once I lived from day to day
Last Line: I kissed him tenderly.
Subject(s): Muses


ONCE I lived from day to day,
Nor joy nor sorrow felt;
Scarcely knew myself, so like
Were all with whom I dwelt.

But as this I realized,
And 'gan o'er it to fret,
Yawned my heart as if weary:
Something may happen yet.

Some one tapped lightly. "Enter,
I called, almost dismayed.
"What! Is it you, my old friend,
Pain? Hast thou hither strayed?"

"Yes, my child," softly stroking
My cheeks the while he spake:
"Tell me, for whom with longing
So great doth thy heart ache?"

"For my Muse, who once taught me
To sing full many a song.
Without a single visit
For months I've waited long.

"Now sit thee down beside me;
Else shall I be alone.
We two have talked together
Oft while the pale moon shone."

So sat he down beside me,
Kissing me o'er and o'er;
E'en as the first he gave me,
I found my songs once more:

"Let the Muse farther wander,
If only thee I have!"
A smile of secret meaning
Rests on his lips so grave.

"Take back that sentence hasty,
For, lo! your Muse am I;
Always have I been faithful."
I kissed him tenderly.





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