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The Complete Poems of Christina Rossetti

A variorum edition: Edited, with textual notes and introductions, by R. W. Crump

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Present and Future.

What is life that we should love it,
Cherishing it evermore,
Never prizing aught above it,
Ever loath to give it o'er?
Is it goodness? Is it gladness?
Nay, 'tis more of sin and sadness,
Nay, of weariness 'tis more.
Earthly joys are very fleeting—
Earthly sorrows very long;—
Parting ever follows meeting,
Night succeeds to even-song.
Storms may darken in the morning,
And eclipse the sun's bright dawning,
And the chilly gloom prolong.
But though clouds may screen and hide it
The sun shines for evermore;
Then bear grief in hope: abide it,
Knowing that it must give o'er:
And the darkness shall flee from us,
And the sun beam down upon us
Ever glowing more and more.