What if he only strove to catch
The measure of old melodies?
What if he only raised the latch
That opes the way to the retreat
Of fantasies and harmonies,
The crew that man the Muse's fleet?
What harm was there? He pleased himself
And wronged no man in any wise;
He sang not for renown nor pelf,
But softly, gently, as one may
Who in the midst of sorrow tries
By song to drive the pain away.