Classic Poem

The dumb man asked the blind man:
Canst do a favor, pray?
Could I the harper find, man?
Hast seen him pass to-day?
I take, myself, small pleasure
In harp-tones — almost none —
Yet much I'ld like a measure
Played for my deaf young son.

The blind man quick made answer:
I saw him pass my gate;
I'll send my lame young man, Sir,
To overtake him straight.
At one look from his master,
Away the cripple ran,
And fast, and ever faster,
He chased the harper-man.

The harper comes, elated,
And straight to work he goes;
His arms were amputated —
He fingered with his toes.
All hearts his playing captured,
The deaf man was all ear,
The blind man gazed, enraptured,
The dumb man shouted, Hear!

The lame boy fell to dancing,
And leaped with all his might,
The scene was so entrancing,
They stayed till late at night.
And when the concert ended,
A public justly proud
The artist's powers commended,
Who, deeply grateful, bowed.