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Reflective Love, that to the thing approved
Transforms the approver;—this for thee I seek,
That the base world, regarding thee beloved,
May grow as thou art, lovely, pure and meek.
And such the love which thou I know must own,
Seen only—but conceived of—yet to be
Thy mere apparitor—but to bear thy crown,
Alas! is all too excellent for me.
GOODMAN TOBACCO-FARMER.
WRITTEN IN SICILY IN 1846.
Goodman Tobacco-farmer spreads out his store to dry;
Row and row the green leaves in a seemly order lie;
The open shore invites him, row and row he spreads them there,
Binding neatly into bundles, as they answer to the air.
To-day's are fat and scentless, to-day's are green with dew;
Yesterday's are shrunk and brown, but the scent is creeping through.
