Liii

“’Tis wrong for men to lack in song--” In judgment God has spoken-- And then He sent a bard to men And gave him this as token:

“Throughout thy life have thou no rest, Thy bread with tears be eaten; Know thou nought but hard suffering, In all hopes be thou beaten!

“Though thy heart be rent to its blood-- View that blood to them clinging; Though driven by them through all lands-- Love them--and keep on singing!”

That lot is common to us bards. Men may have our songs chanted, But with what had brought on our song-- None cares to get acquainted.