The Singer
The Singer
Original Text
The Complete Poetical Works of William Gay , ed. J. Glen Oliphant (Melbourne: Thomas C. Lothian, 1911): 101. Internet Archive. Sydney Electronic Text and Image Service (SETIS), digital text sponsored by AustLit: http://setis.library.usyd.edu.au/oztexts
1Nay! sing no more thy wild delusive strain
2(I heard them say, while I my song pursued),
3'Tis but the rage of thy delirious brain
4(I heard them say, yet still my song renewed);
5Nay! sing no more with reckless, idle breath
6Of man immortal and of life to come,
7For one brief moment scan the face of death,
8Then be thy foolish song for ever dumb;
9Behold the dusty ash that once was fire,
10And mark the summer leaf in autumn fall,
11Watch thou the wavering breath of man expire,
12And know that Death hath lordship over all
13(I heard them say with many a scornful word,
14Yet still sang on as one who nothing heard).
RPO poem Editors
Cameron La Follette
RPO Edition
2011
Rhyme
Form