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A Tragedy in Five Acts, and Other Poems. By Herman Charles Merivale
Merivale, Herman Charles (1839-1906)

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DEDICATORY SONNET.
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POEMS.
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LYRICS OF PERICLES.
  
“ACROSS THE ESTUARY.”
  
THE SUNSET WINTER.
  
THE LAY OF THE LIFEBOAT.
  
A LOST MORNING.
  
LYRICS FROM THE GERMAN.
  
TO MAUD.

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161

LYRICS FROM THE GERMAN.

I

A shelter,—spent and tempest-driven
Mid winter's strife,—
I sought, and found the boon of Heaven,
Eternal life.
Oh Word, how is thy truth confessed!
Who seeketh part, shall find the whole;
I asked but for the wanderer's rest,
And found the traveller's goal.
I asked some kindly door to ope for
My weary head;
The heart of Love I dared not hope for
Stood wide instead.
Oh Word, how is thy truth confessed!
Who sues for little, all has won;
I, that would be thy winter-guest,
Was thy belovëd son.

II.

I love thee for that love thee, dear, I must;
I love thee, for 'twas so my lot befell;
I love thee by some Heavenly arrow-thrust;
I love thee by the working of a spell.
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Thee love I as the rose, sweet, loves the briar;
Thee love I as the Sun his light on high;
Thee love I, life-breath of my life's desire;
Thee love I, whom to love not is to die.
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