Egyptian Cadmus famed of old
Atrides and Achilles bold
I sing, for martial themes on fire,
And sweep my fingers o’er the lyre,
But ah the cords rebellious prove
And murmur only tones of love.
Another day I seize the shell
And break the cords that dared rebel
Anew the vocal frame I string
And great Alcide’s toils I sing
Again the cords rebellious prove,
And murmur only tones of love.
Farewell for ever, chiefs and kings
And deeds befitting bolder strings
My lyre these fruitless efforts prove,
Will only answer lays of love.