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174

TEN YEARS AGO

Ten years ago with sweetest young emotion
Before thy feet
I cast a swift tumultuous tossing ocean
Of fancies fleet.
I flung before thee flowerbuds bright and burning,
And many a dream,
And passion white and pure, and tender yearning,
A fair heart-stream.
Where art thou now, and where are all the fancies
That flamed and flew?
Where are the swift-winged splendid sweet romances
That climbed the blue?
Where are the long waves wonderful and hoary
That swept the strand?
Within those woods what flower hath now the glory
Of thy white hand?
175

What meadow-sweet is sweet as was thy breathing
In the old lost days?
What fame is pure as fame thy hand was wreathing,
The old first green bays?
What rose is as thy girlish breast sweet-scented,
Thy shoulders fair?
Yea, thy flushed cheek did find the rose and lent it
Its blush to wear!
What flower through all the hills and valleys gazing
Shall love now see
Splendid as was the unclothed white amazing
Splendour of thee?
What woman, Venuslike, with silvery laughter
From the old-world foam
Sprang sweet as thou; once loved, what love comes after?
What rest, what home?
1880.
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