He made a lyre, and drew therefrom 5
Music so strange and rich,
That all men loved to hear,--and some
Muttered of fagots for a witch.

But King Admetus, one who had
Pure taste by right divine, 10
Decreed his singing not too bad
To hear between the cups of wine.

And so, well pleased with being soothed
Into a sweet half-sleep,
Three times his kingly beard he smoothed. 15
And made him viceroy o'er his sheep.

His words were simple words enough,
And yet he used them so,
That what in other mouths were rough
In his seemed musical and low. 20

Men called him but a shiftless youth,
In whom no good they saw;
And yet, unwittingly, in truth,
They made his careless words their law.

They knew not how he learned at all, 25
For, long hour after hour,
He sat and watched the dead leaves fall,
Or mused upon a common flower.