Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882). Complete Poetical Works. 1893.
The Seaside and the FiresideBy the Fireside. The Singers
G
With songs of sadness and of mirth,
That they might touch the hearts of men,
And bring them back to heaven again.
Held in his hand a golden lyre;
Through groves he wandered, and by streams,
Playing the music of our dreams.
Stood singing in the market-place,
And stirred with accents deep and loud
The hearts of all the listening crowd.
Sang in cathedrals dim and vast,
While the majestic organ rolled
Contrition from its mouths of gold.
Disputed which the best might be;
For still their music seemed to start
Discordant echoes in each heart.
No best in kind, but in degree;
I gave a various gift to each,
To charm, to strengthen, and to teach.
And he whose ear is tuned aright
Will hear no discord in the three,
But the most perfect harmony.”