 | The Poetry of Real Life |  |
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ON THE ROSEMARY.
Sweet Rosemary, the tomb and altar claimJoint shares in thee, for office different,
And yet both with a common sentiment:
Under the twofold aspect (yet one, same
Deep truth) of hope and memory—thy fame,
And that rare privilege, (as Nature meant
Thee for such service, Winter's ornament)
Have made for thee an old, memorial name!
Thou flowerest when old Christmas, all-a-cold,
Sits over comfortable fires, in mind
To keep thy painted compeers, not so bold—
So art thou for remembrance well designed—
Nor less for hope: as giving manifold
Assurance of renewal to thy kind!
| The Poetry of Real Life | |