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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


IN ABSENCE by PIERRE DE RONSARD

First Line: WIDE-STRETCHING PLAINS, AND MOUNTAIN-PEAKS FARSEEN
Last Line: "HILLS, VALLEYS, GROVES, SAY FOR ME, ""FARE THEE WELL."
Subject(s): ABSENCE; FAREWELL; GRIEF; LOVE - LOSS OF; NATURE; SINGING & SINGERS; SEPARATION; ISOLATION; PARTING; SORROW; SADNESS;

WIDE-STRETCHING plains, and mountain-peaks farseen,
Sky, air, and winds -- and little ripply waves
Of springs, and winding banks the slow stream laves,
Tall forests dark, and low-cut coppice green,

Groves, vine-clad hills, and blosmy vales between,
Buds, flowers, dew-laden grass, deep mossy caves --
All you that heard my songs' low sweet sad staves --
Waters of Loir, woods of my loved Gastine,

Since grief of parting wrung me with such pains
I could not say "Farewell" to her, alas!
Whose I am, near or far, where'er I dwell,

I beg of you, sky, air, winds, mountains, plains,
Woods, coppice, river-banks, caves, springs, flowers, grass,
Hills, valleys, groves, say for me, "Fare thee well."



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