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TWAS JUST BEFORE THE HAY WAS MOWN, by                     Poet's Biography
Last Line: And lifeless, when I love not thee
Subject(s): Aging; Love; Death


'Twas just before the hay was mown,
The season had been wet and cold,
When my good dame began to groan,
And speak of days and years of old:
Ye were a young man then, and gay,
And raven black your handsome hair;
Ah! Time steals many a grace away,
And leaves us many a grief to bear.

Tush! tush! said I, we've had our time,
And if 'twere here again 'twould go;
The youngest cannot keep their prime,
The darkest head some gray must show.
We've been together forty years,
And though it seem but like a day,
We've much less cause, dear dame, for tears,
Than many who have trod life's way.

Goodman, said she, ye're always right,
And 'tis a pride to hear your tongue;
And though your fine old head be white,
'Tis dear to me as when 'twere young.
So give your hand,--'twas never shown
But in affection unto me;
And I shall be beneath the stone,
And lifeless, when I love not thee.





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