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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SUMMER NIGHT; VARIATIONS ON CERTAIN MELODIES: 2. ADAGIO by BAYARD TAYLOR

First Line: SOMETHING CAME WITH THE FALLING DUSK
Last Line: THOUGH KISSED A THOUSAND TIMES, KISS NOT AGAIN!
Subject(s): KISSES; LIFE; LOVE;

Something came with the falling dusk,
Came, and quickened to soft unrest:
Something floats in the linden's musk,
And throbs in the brook on the meadow's breast.
Shy Spirit of Love, awake, awake!
All things feel thee,
And all reveal thee:
The night was given for thy sweet sake.
Toil slinks aside, and leaves to thee the land;
The heart beats warmer for the idle hand;
The timid tongue unlearns its wrong,
And speech is turned to song;
The shaded eyes are braver;
And every life, like flowers whose scent is dumb
Till dew and darkness come,
Gives forth a tender savor.
Oh, each so lost in all, who may resist
The plea of lips unkissed,
Or, hearing such a strain,
Though kissed a thousand times, kiss not again!



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