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1849–1903

XVII

William Ernest Henley

Look down, dear eyes, look down, Lest you betray her gladness. Dear brows, do naught but frown, Lest men miscall my madness.

Come not, dear hands, so near, Lest all besides come nearer. Dear heart, hold me less dear, Lest time hold nothing dearer.

Keep me, dear lips, O, keep The great last word unspoken, Lest other eyes go weep, And other lives lie broken!

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XVII · William Ernest Henley · Poetry Cove