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The Collected Works of William Morris

With Introductions by his Daughter May Morris

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359

AS THIS THIN THREAD

As this thin thread upon thy neck shall lie
So on thy heart let my poor love abide
Not noted much, and yet not cast aside;
For it may be that fear and mockery
And shame, earth's tyrants, the thin thing shall try
Nor scorch therefrom what little worth may hide
Amidst its pettiness, till fully tried
Time leaves it as a thing that will not die.
Then hearken! thou who forgest day by day
No chain, but armour that I needs must wear
Although at whiles I deem it hard to bear,
If thou to thine own work no hand will lay,
That which I took I may not cast away,
Keep what I give till Death our eyes shall clear.