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LOVE AND ROSES
The roses climbed the garden wall,
And blushed in sweet profusion;
From blooming boughs the birds let fall
A musical confusion.
The twilights there were fine and sweet,
And fair the summer weather,
And she who made my world complete
Sweeter than all together.

The evening star shone overhead;
The grass with dew-drops glistened;
One scarce had heard the words we said
Who jealously had listened:
Love's language is not writ, I wot,
Only in tender speeches;
By many a smile or glance 'tis taught,
That through the ages reaches!

The roses now have lost their leaves,
Though thorny tendrils climb there;
The dew-drenched grass is bound in sheaves
And early falls the rime there;
No echo of a bird I hear
Through the deserted closes:
Faded and dead within the year
Lie Love and the June roses.

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