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University of Virginia Library

Blackberries

by William Allingham

Allingham, William (1824-1889)

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[Earth's night is where she rolls]

[By and by, we shall meet]

[Here they are: how little they are!]

[Pleasure, torture, victory, crime,—]

[“Weary your life was, day by day]

[How swift the days do pass!]

[Hast ever chanced to stare aghast]

[Dull and dumb]

[Perception, Will, Personality]

[Why ever asking “why?” you cry; and I]

[Needs and greeds and ties and lies]

[Out of the land of dreams and youth, alas!]

[Lost chance—never again]

[Soon life ends]

[Who will sorrow when I die?]

[Do what wilt with me]

[“I'm learning, every day.”]

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[Soon life ends]

Soon life ends;
Have I any friends?
Or even enemies,
Mightier than fleas?
Would I had a foe
Worth blow for blow!
Would I had a friend,
Ere life end!