And for a while the court was still, Tense, waiting on the harpist's will, From lord and lady to the King. One spoke: "It was an evil thing!" One: "Hush! He is about to sing." The jester shook his golden bells, And laughed: "A pretty tale he tells Of Altair and Aldebaran; Faith! Never since court-fools began Was heard the like.--Lemurian!" A bishop raised his mitred head: "It was the Flood, I think"--he said. "Aye, even so"--replied a priest: "Was not that city in the east? Altair?--Apocalyptic Beast!" Then spake the King upon his throne: "Never such harping have I known; It is a right majestic tale-- How poetry and song prevail On sword and shield and burnished mail!" Again the minstrel tuned the strings-- His harp of many murmurings-- Again on softer chord began The song of bright Aldebaran: VII Aldebaran, Aldebaran, Last night I saw thee glow In Taurus--open like a fan-- Above a world of snow. The joyous bells were ringing wide Their plangent silver chime, Proclaiming: "It is Christmastide! Now is the time, the time, The Holy Babe was brought to birth, And Lord Messias came to earth!" Wast thou not then that eastern Star The Magi did behold, Who journeyed from a city far To offer gifts of gold-- The Star of Jesu, leading them To little white-walled Bethlehem? Aldebaran, Aldebaran, Across the crystal sky A shout of angel-song began: "Glory to God on High, On earth be peace! Now is the morn In which Emmanuel is born!" They sang the end of every woe, The tale of every tear. I saw a host of singers go Bravely against the fear That held men in the thongs of Fate Through æons of the hell of Hate. Before thy lance Altair went down, Lemuria arose Restored to temple, palace, crown, With gates that never close; And all her shining company Renewed their art and minstrelsy. The babe was in his mother's arms, His face was like the Christ; And that lost lover knew the charms Of her who kept the tryst; The woman filled her water jar, The shepherd led his sheep afar. And then I knew, Aldebaran, Lemuria is one With all the domes of daring man That glitter to the sun; That age by age one broad highway Leads up the host to fuller day. There shall no lost tall towers be, No idle aim of art; No useless joy of minstrelsy, No ever-empty heart; No utter silencing of song, No comrade absent from the throng. Through pain and trial of the tears, Lead up the host, O Star! Lead up, lead up, until the years Have glorified the scar That burns upon the brow of man, Aldebaran, Aldebaran! COMRADES Come dear Comrade, let us sing-- Not to any tightened string Struck by harpers when they play-- Let us, like the morning wind, Shout with an unfettered mind Anthems of the common day.