Better -- than Music! For I -- who heard it --

Better -- than Music! For I -- who heard it --

I was used -- to the Birds -- before --

This -- was different -- 'Twas Translation --

Of all tunes I knew -- and more --

'Twasn't contained -- like other stanza --

No one could play it -- the second time --

But the Composer -- perfect Mozart --

Perish with him -- that Keyless Rhyme!

So -- Children -- told how Brooks in Eden --

Bubbled a better -- Melody --

Quaintly infer -- Eve's great surrender --

Urging the feet -- that would -- not -- fly --

Children -- matured -- are wiser -- mostly --

Eden -- a legend -- dimly told --

Eve -- and the Anguish -- Grandame's story --

But -- I was telling a tune -- I heard --

Not such a strain -- the Church -- baptizes --

When the last Saint -- goes up the Aisles --

Not such a stanza splits the silence --

When the Redemption strikes her Bells --

Let me not spill -- its smallest cadence --

Humming -- for promise -- when alone --

Humming -- until my faint Rehearsal --

Drop into tune -- around the Throne --