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STORIES OF
lowed circle the wanderers who stray from it."
Round both words and music of this ever-green song, controversy has raged for years, but I think by what follows, which is all based on the most reliable information, I shall be able to set these differences at rest for ever. Of the words of the opera of " Clari " I think there can be no doubt whatever of their having emanated from Howard Payne, though the bio-grapher of M. J. O'Sullivan, a dramatic author and contemporary of Payne's, asserts that he (O'Sullivan) had a hand in the composition. But I have been unable to trace any grounds for the claim. Payne undoubtedly wrote the lyric, though I have often wondered whether the unfortunate author of this very sweet song—a song that will only cease to live when all Nature is dead and Time is no more—ever read the old holiday and breaking-up song "Dulce Domum," so popular at Winchester School, for it certainly contains many of the elements of Payne's plaintive ballad. Here is the first verse with its chorus:
'' Smg a sweet melodious measure, Waft enchanting rays around, Home ! a theme replete with pleasure, Home ! a grateful theme resound.
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