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1837–1909

II

Algernon Charles Swinburne

Wild on woodland ways your sires Flashed like fires; Fair as flame and fierce and fleet As with wings on wingless feet

Shone and sprang your mother, free, Bright and brave as wind or sea. Free and proud and glad as they, Here to-day

Rests or roams their radiant child, Vanquished not, but reconciled, Free from curb of aught above Save the lovely curb of love.

Love through dreams of souls divine Fain would shine Round a dawn whose light and song Then should right our mutual wrong —

Speak, and seal the love-lit law Sweet Assisi's seer foresaw. Dreams were theirs; yet haply may Dawn a day

When such friends and fellows born, Seeing our earth as fair at morn, May for wiser love's sake see More of heaven's deep heart than we.

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II · Algernon Charles Swinburne · Poetry Cove