Pebbles and Shells (Hawkes collection)/To Paderewski Playing
TO PADEREWSKI PLAYING
'Tis vain for me to praise thy matchless power Strange dweller in a land of mysteries, When thou dost lean across the snowy keysAnd fill my soul with feeling's richest dower,Long years of baser life in that sweet hour Are awakened by the magic of thy strain, When tender love and joy and bitter painSweep o'er my soul, like breezes o'er a flower. O smite the keys and to my fevered soul From out thy life let such an anthem rollThat I shall hear and see and understand The mysteries of life, teach me thy fire And I will string my poor impassioned lyreAnd sing the world an anthem new and grand.