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1823–1896

PRELUDES

Coventry Kersey Dighton Patmore

Keep your undrest, familiar style For strangers, but respect your friend, Her most, whose matrimonial smile Is and asks honour without end.

‘ Tis found, and needs it must so be, That life from love's allegiance flags, When love forgets his majesty In sloth's unceremonious rags.

Let love make home a gracious Court; There let the world's rude, hasty ways Be fashion'd to a loftier port, And learn to bow and stand at gaze;

And let the sweet respective sphere Of personal worship there obtain Circumference for moving clear, None treading on another's train.

This makes that pleasures do not cloy, And dignifies our mortal strife With calmness and considerate joy, Befitting our immortal life.

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