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1859–1936

XIII

Alfred Edward Housman

When I was one-and-twenty I heard a wise man say, “Give crowns and pounds and guineas But not your heart away;

Give pearls away and rubies But keep your fancy free.” But I was one-and-twenty, No use to talk to me.

When I was one-and-twenty I heard him say again, “The heart out of the bosom Was never given in vain;

‘ Tis paid with sighs a plenty And sold for endless rue.” And I am two-and-twenty, And oh,‘ tis true,‘ tis true.

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XIII · Alfred Edward Housman · Poetry Cove