text: " Lo from the circle bending there With sweeping robe the Bard appears As silver white his gleaming hair Bleach'd by the many winds of years: "And music sleeps in golden strings-- The minstrel's hire the LOVE he sings; Well known to him the ALL High thoughts and ardent souls desire!-- What would the Kaisar from the lyre Amidst the banquet-hall?" The Great One smiled--"Not mine the sway-- The minstrel owns a loftier power-- A mightier king inspires the lay-- Its hest--THE IMPULSE OF THE HOUR! As through wide air the tempests sweep As gush the springs from mystic deep Or lone untrodden glen; So from dark hidden fount within Comes SONG its own wild world to win Amidst the souls of men!" Swift with the fire the minstrel glow'd And loud the music swept the ear:-- "Forth to the chase a Hero rode To hunt the bounding chamois-deer: With shaft and horn the squire behind:-- Through greensward meads the riders wind-- A small sweet bell they hear