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To Sylvia by Amy Levy
"O love, lean thou thy cheek to mine, And let the tears together flow"-- Such was the song you sang to me Once, long ago.
Such was the song you sang; and yet (O be not wroth!) I scarcely knew What sounds flow'd forth; I only felt That you were you.
I scarcely knew your hair was gold, Nor of the heavens' own blue your eyes. Sylvia and song, divinely mixt, Made Paradise.
These things I scarcely knew; to-day, When love is lost and hope is fled, The song you sang so long ago Rings in my head.
Clear comes each note and true; to-day, As in a picture I behold Your tur'd-up chin, and small, sweet head Misty with gold.
I see how your dear eyes grew deep, How your lithe body thrilled and swayed, And how were whiter than the keys Your hands that played. . .
Ah, sweetest! cruel have you been, And robbed my life of many things. I will not chide; ere this I knew That Love had wings.
You've robbed my life of many things-- Of love and hope, of fame and pow'r. So be it, sweet. You cannot steal One golden hour.
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