So that when (ah, joy!) our singer For his truant string Feels with disconcerted finger, 45 What does cricket else but fling Fiery heart forth, sound the note Wanted by the throbbing throat? Aye and, ever to the ending, Cricket chirps at need, 50 Executes the hand's intending, Promptly, perfectly--indeed Saves the singer from defeat With her chirrup low and sweet. Till, at ending, all the judges 55 Cry with one assent, "Take the prize--a prize who grudges Such a voice and instrument? Why, we took your lyre for harp, So it shrilled us forth F sharp!" 60 Did the conqueror spurn the creature, Once its service done? That's no such uncommon feature In the case when Music's son Finds his Lotte's power too spent 65 For aiding soul-development. No! This other, on returning Homeward, prize in hand, Satisfied his bosom's yearning (Sir, I hope you understand!) 70 --Said, "Some record there must be Of this cricket's help to me!" So, he made himself a statue: Marble stood, life-size; On the lyre he pointed at you 75 Perched his partner in the prize; Never more apart you found Her, he throned, from him, she crowned. That's the tale--its application? Somebody I know 80 Hopes one day for reputation Through his poetry that's--oh, All so learned and so wise And deserving of a prize! If he gains one, will some ticket, 85 When his statue's built, Tell the gazer, "'Twas a cricket Helped my crippled lyre, whose lilt Sweet and low, when strength usurped Softness' place i' the scale, she chirped? 90 "For as victory was nighest, While I sang and played-- With my lyre at lowest, highest, Right alike--one string that made 'Love' sound soft was snapped in twain, 95 Never to be heard again-- "Had not a kind cricket fluttered, Perched upon the place Vacant left, and duly uttered, 'Love, Love, Love,' whene'er the bass 100 Asked the treble to atone For its somewhat somber drone." But you don't know music! Wherefore Keep on casting pearls To a--poet? All I care for 105 Is--to tell him that a girl's "Love" comes aptly in when gruff Grows his singing. (There, enough!) PHEIDIPPIDES [Greek: Chairete, nikomen.]