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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SOUND DOCTRINE by HEINRICH HEINE

First Line: QUICK, BEAT THE DRUM, AND BE NOT AFRAID
Last Line: AND ALSO BECAUSE I DRUM NOT AMISS.
Subject(s): DRUMS; KISSES; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; SLEEP; YOUTH;

QUICK, beat the drum, and be not afraid,
The suttler-maiden lovingly kiss;
This is the whole of knowledge, in truth,
The deepest book-learning lies in this.

Quick, drum the people out of their sleep,
And drum the reveille with the ardour of youth,
And as you march, continue to drum --
This is the whole of knowledge, in truth.

All Hegel's philosophy here is found,
The deepest book-learning lies in this;
I've found it out, because I'm no fool,
And also because I drum not amiss.



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