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1880–1943

TO THE NIGHTINGALE

Radclyffe Hall

Oh Nightingale, has that pale star heard you Sobbing your passion into a song? Has she deigned to stoop from her throne of splendour, Deigned to pity your life's surrender,

Deigned to throw you a beam-smile tender, You who have waited and loved so long? Oh Nightingale, is your wondrous music Cleaving the depths of the dark apart,

Born of a hope that is wearily dying? Is she ever and aye denying That for which you are always sighing? Do you sing with a broken heart?

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TO THE NIGHTINGALE · Radclyffe Hall · Poetry Cove