Very likely he thought that exercises in rhythmic composition would be beneficial to his powers, and he may also have enjoyed the exercise, whether beneficial or not. Perhaps it served to relieve the vague yearning and vaguer sense of sorrow, that come to all irresponsible years, especially to those on the border-lands of boyhood and manhood.
Oh for the bliss of those
Who’ve trod life’s dreary way,
Who’ve known its joys and felt its woes,
And gone to realms of day.
Oh for the bliss of those
Whose conflicts all are o’er;
Who’ve vanquished all their earthly foes,
To reign forevermore.
Oh for the bliss of those