Page:Poems Allen.djvu/159

"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!"