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Once more, O happy hill & peaceful plain,
Once more, O kindly meadow, laugh with glee:
Now is all earth’s old nature young again.
Once more the lily may her lover see;
Once more the eager tulip lifteth up
Unto the wine-filled rose her golden cup.
O hold thou dear the flowers, that through Spring’s door
Enter thy garden: ere thou may’st no more
Behold them, love them who live but for thee.
Greet them, ere they through Autumn’s gate depart:
Since for thy pleasuring God made them be,
Gaze on them gladly,—on me too, sweet heart,
Who for thy sake alone live; give me one
Welcome, once smile on me, ere I be gone.