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WATER LILIES.
The water-lilies opened lay, Athwart the shining flood,The alders by the lake's clear edge, Seemed banners bathed in blood.
Then o'er the boat's low edge I leant, And plucked a largess rare,Of lilies, from their glossy bed, And bound them in her hair."Oh! love," I said, "no empress crowned," With gems of shining light,Could share a worship half so true, As thou dost hold to night.
The sweet brown eyes one moment shone, I fancied, with Love's light,Then drooped their silken fringes down, And hid them from my sight.The purple twilight cast her robe, Athwart the shining mere,My lover's heart, so loud it beat, I feared the winds might hear.
The lilies perfume floated sweet, And from her lips there came,Like angel melody of thought, The murmur of my name.Oh! God, they tell us Heaven alone, Can hold transcendent bliss,But longing for the Heaven, I own, Was quenched in that first kiss.
