46 THE PARODIST

I hear proud singing at times; And when that singing is ended I mimic, with arduous rhymes, A song which I knew to be splendid, And make of what I comprehended— I singly,—a thing so absurd That rightly is reason offended. What matter?—My rhymes are blurred Because I wept when I heard Proud singing whereof these rhymes Iterate never a word; And safely I treasure the times Wherein is a song that climbs, And my heart singly is stirred.