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1807–1882

THE FOUR PRINCESSES AT WILNA

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Sweet faces, that from pictured casements lean As from a castle window, looking down On some gay pageant passing through a town, Yourselves the fairest figures in the scene;

With what a gentle grace, with what serene Unconsciousness ye wear the triple crown Of youth and beauty and the fair renown Of a great name, that ne'er hath tarnished been!

From your soft eyes, so innocent and sweet, Four spirits, sweet and innocent as they, Gaze on the world below, the sky above; Hark! there is some one singing in the street;

“Faith, Hope, and Love! these three,” he seems to say; “These three; and greatest of the three is Love.”

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THE FOUR PRINCESSES AT WILNA · Henry Wadsworth Longfellow · Poetry Cove