Melinda cleared her throat, and read as follows, in an impressive voice:

Oh, lay me to sleep in the deep, deep sea,

For my life is dark and drear;

Or give me the wings to soar aloft,--

I am tired of living here.

I feel that I am not understood;

My thoughts are far too deep

For the common crowd, who only care

To eat and drink and sleep.

My soul walks through the world alone,