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The Collected Works of William Morris

With Introductions by his Daughter May Morris

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So saying, swiftly from the room he passed;
But on the world no look Admetus cast,
But peacefully turned round unto the wall
As one who knows that quick death must befall;
For in his heart he thought: “Indeed too well
I know what men are, this strange tale to tell
To those that live with me: yea, they will weep
And o'er my tomb most solemn days will keep,
And in great chronicles will write my name,
Telling to many an age my deeds and fame.
For living men such things as this desire,
And by such ways will they appease the fire

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Of love and grief: but when death comes to stare
Full in men's faces and the truth lays bare,
How can we then have wish for anything,
But unto life that gives us all to cling?”
So said he, and with closed eyes did await,
Sleeping or waking, the decrees of Fate.