If ever, as I struck thy strings,
My song has sounded sempiternal,
Help me, my Lyre, to glorious things
For this matutinary journal.

Thine erstwhile owner versified
War, Love, and Wine in panegyric;
And folks in Lesbos often cried,
“That kid can chuck a nasty lyric!”

Then aid me, Lute, beginning now!
Give theme for colophon or leader;
And some day there may grace my brow
The laurel from some Grateful Reader.

If ever, as I struck thy strings,
My song has sounded sempiternal,
Help me, my Lyre, to glorious things
For this matutinary journal.

Thine erstwhile owner versified
War, Love, and Wine in panegyric;
And folks in Lesbos often cried,
“That kid can chuck a nasty lyric!”

Then aid me, Lute, beginning now!
Give theme for colophon or leader;
And some day there may grace my brow
The laurel from some Grateful Reader.