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1828–1882

THE CHOICE

Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Eat thou and drink; to-morrow thou shalt die. Surely the earth, that's wise being very old, Needs not our help. Then loose me, love, and hold Thy sultry hair up from my face that I

May pour for thee this yellow wine, brim-high, Till round the glass thy fingers glow like gold. We'll drown all hours: thy song, while hours toil'd, Shall leap, as fountains veil the changing sky.

Now kiss, and think that there are really those, My own high-bosomed beauty, who increase Vain gold, vain lore, and yet might choose our way Through many days they toil; then comes a day

They die not,— never having lived,— but cease; And round their narrow lips the mould falls close.

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THE CHOICE · Dante Gabriel Rossetti · Poetry Cove