Men grew silent and gathered to hear, for Aladdin's fame as a maker of songs had spread over the whole army, and he was called the Minstrel Major. He felt his audience and sang louder. The very sick man turned a little so that he, too, could hear. Only the occasional striking of a match or the surreptitious drawing of a cork interrupted. The stately tune moved on:
The first breath shall be laughter,
The second shall be wine;
And there shall follow after
A kiss that shall be mine.
The second shall be wine;
And there shall follow after
A kiss that shall be mine.
Somehow all the homing hearts were set to beating.
Roses with dewfall laden
One garden grows for me;
I call them kisses, maiden,
And gather them from thee.
One garden grows for me;
I call them kisses, maiden,
And gather them from thee.
The very sick man turned fully, and there was a glad light of recognition in his eyes.
