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Just So Despite their highly paid positions Prince Esterházy’s picked musicians Resented being asked to share His Schloss stuck miles from anywhere: Pining for their domestic lives They brooded on their absent wives Till Papa Haydn gave the prince The broadest of patrician hints, And by his Farewell Symphony Procured their longed-for liberty. Just so, eight centuries before, A hardy central Asian corps Of cavalry who’d had enough Of forays, fights, and living rough, Turned to the poet Rudaki Whose sweet euphonious eulogy Of Muliyan (the little stream That bounded home) broke their lord’s dream Of conquest . . . and returned the band Abruptly to their native land. Here is one use for artistry: The insubstantial filigree Of singing words or wordless song Can bring us back where we belong.  You are reading copyrighted material published by Ohio University Press/Swallow Press. Unauthorized posting, copying, or distributing of this work except as permitted under U.S. copyright law is illegal and injures the author and publisher. You are reading copyrighted material published by Ohio University Press/Swallow Press. Unauthorized posting, copying, or distributing of this work except as permitted under U.S. copyright law is illegal and injures the author and publisher. ...

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