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Carol and Cadence

New poems: MDCCCCII-MDCCCCVII: By John Payne
Payne, John (1842-1916)

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SONGBIRDS.
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THE BOOK OF DAYS AND NIGHTS.
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THE BOOK OF DAYS AND NIGHTS.
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THE BOOK OF BIRDS.
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THE BOOK OF BEASTS.
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LONDON VOICES.
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BALLADS AND ROMANCES.
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SONNETS.
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TIME AND TIDE.
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THE MINSTREL'S BOOK.
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SONGS OF THE MORROW.

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WHO KNOWS?

The world said, “Sever!”
Our hearts said, “Never!”
My hair was brown, then; your lips were red.
Life's roses drooped for the long endeavour;
Your lips grew pale, dear, and grey my head.
We knew not whether
To be together
Our lot in happiness was. Who knows?
The stars sing only in Heaven's weather;
There only blossoms Love's deathless rose.
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The new years borrow
The old years' sorrow;
The Winter cometh: the sun grows cold.
Shall Life reblossom in Heaven's morrow?
Who knows? You're dead, dear, and I am old.
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