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Poems

By Mary Elizabeth Coleridge

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157

CLXI
THREE ASPECTS

Some showed me Life as 'twere a royal game,
Shining in every colour of the sun,
With prizes to be played for, one by one
Love, riches, fame.
Some showed me Life as 'twere a terrible fight,
A ceaseless striving 'gainst unnumbered foes,
A battle ever harder to the close,
Ending in night.
Thou—thou dids't make of Life a vision deep
Of the deep happiness the spirit feels
When heavenly music Heaven itself reveals
And passions sleep.