IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION IN THE GREEK GRAMMAR br br They speak of never-withering shades, br And bowers of opening joy; br They promise mines of fairy gold, br And bliss without alloy. br They whisper strange enchanting things br Within Hope's greedy ears; br And sure this tuneful voice exceeds br The music of the spheres. br br They speak of pleasure to the gay, br And wisdom to the wise; br And soothe the poet's beating heart br With fame that never dies. br To virgins languishing in love br They speak the minute nigh; br And warm consenting hearts they join, br And paint the rapture high. br In every language, every tongue, br The same kind things they say; br In gentle slumbers speak by night, br In waking dreams by day. br Cassandra's fate reversed is theirs; br She true, no faith could gain,— br They every passing hour deceive, br Yet are believed again.