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XXIV


I shall be ever maiden,
  1
If thou be not my lover,
And no man shall possess me
Henceforth and forever.

But thou alone shalt gather
  5
This fragile flower of beauty,—
To crush and keep the fragrance
Like a holy incense.

Thou only shalt remember
  9
This love of mine, or hallow
The coming years with gladness,
Calm and pride and passion.







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