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1837–1909

III.

Algernon Charles Swinburne

Years upon years, as a watch by night that passes, Pass, and the light of their eyes is fire that sears Slowly the hopes of the fruit that life amasses Years upon years.

Pale as the glimmer of stars on moorland meres Lighten the shadows reverberate from the glasses Held in their hands as they pass among their peers. Lights that are shadows, as ghosts on graveyard grasses,

Moving on paths that the moon of memory cheers, Shew but as mists over cloudy mountain passes Years upon years.

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III. · Algernon Charles Swinburne · Poetry Cove