C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Sir Lewis Morris (1833–1907)

LOVE took my life and thrilled it

Through all its strings,

Played round my mind and filled it

With sound of wings;

But to my heart he never came

To touch it with his golden flame.

Therefore it is that singing

I do rejoice,

Nor heed the slow years bringing

A harsher voice;

Because the songs which he has sung

Still leave the untouched singer young.

But whom in fuller fashion

The Master sways,

For him, swift-winged with passion,

Fleet the brief days.

Betimes the enforced accents come,

And leave him ever after dumb.