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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FORTUNATE LOVE: 5. EXPECTATION by EDMUND WILLIAM GOSSE

First Line: WHEN FLOWER-TIME COMES AND ALL THE WOODS ARE GAY
Last Line: WHEN FLOWER-TIME COMES!
WHEN flower-time comes and all the woods are gay,
When linnets chirrup and the soft winds blow,
Adown the winding river I will row,
And watch the merry maidens tossing hay,
And troops of children shouting in their play,
And with my thin oars flout the fallen snow
Of heavy hawthorn-blossom as I go, --
And shall I see my love at fall of day
When flower-time comes?
Ah, yes! for by the border of the stream
She binds red roses to a trim alcove,
And I may fade into her summer-dream
Of musing upon love, -- nay, even seem
To be myself the very god of love,
When flower-time comes!



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