The Singer

by Eric Temple Bell

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1916 edition. ... REMARK On the advice of a friend whose opinion I value very highly, I have abandoned my original intention of giving this collection the title of THE SAFETY-VALVE Perhaps, as he hinted, this does have a mechanical tang about it, and suggests rather an escape of superheated steam (he was much too polite to say 'gas,') than the gentle effluence of emotion, which I thought it conjured up in a decidedly poetical manner,-- quite in our best modern vein. He proposed the caption SONGS OF PRAISE, which my natural modesty forbids me to adopt. Praise, from some lips, is presumptuous. So also is i blame. Therefore, I choose the temperate middle course, and neither praise nor blame, but relate-- for the sake of the story, only.-- J. T. THE SINGER It was long ago in the harsh, dead past; He was first of his line, mayhap the last. Young was the Singer but versed in wile, And the light of his lips was a doubtful smile. One came to him,--his trusted "Our kind Prince bids yourself attend And wait on his wish in the Silver Hall Where he holds right royal festival. There is forward a joyous joust of wit, The tables are spread and the tapers lit, And all sit down to their bread and wine-- Soldier and Sage, the grave Divine, Sweet white nuns who know not fault And merrier women bitter as salt,-- A goodly sprinkling of carles and thegns, (For our Prince is a man with blood in his veins) In short, of all sorts a gathering Whose pleasant wish is to hear you sing." "Tell, I pray, your hidden rede," The Singer smiled; "has the young prince need Of such as I when the great are there? Can my song make the fair more fair, Is mine a tune to woo or win Some fresher mistress to daintier sin?" "Yea; I will speak the naked All day have they jousted with...

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1916

About the author

Eric Temple Bell (February 7, 1883 – December 21, 1960) was a mathematician and science fiction author born in Scotland who lived in the U.S. for most of his life. He published his non-fiction under his given name and his fiction as John Taine.