Tiresome and strange in mine ears the words rang--
'Heaven is infinite, earth is so small'--
Rang in that eerie monotonous way
Words sometimes will, when _we_ don't will one bit.
Which proves they're alive--It is hard in the day,
But in the night _who_ can battle with it?
And a little sob rose up in my throat--
'Harry, Harry, Harry,' thrill'd through the sob;
I touch'd the guitar, and its answering note
Came unexpected, and made my heart throb.


SONG.

It was once upon a time,
Ere the roses bud and blow,
Underneath the scented lime,
Long ago, ah, long ago!
Is it I that was so fair,
When the sun is slanting low,
With a lily in my hair,
Ah, so very long ago?

Was my heart as light as this
Was the lily white as snow?
What a happy hour it is,
Long ago, ah, long ago?
Then the lily bloom'd to save,
Ere a tear had learn'd to flow
Now it lies upon a grave,