| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 1055. The Cyclamen |
| | | By Arlo Bates |
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| OVER the plains where Persian hosts | |
| Laid down their lives for glory | |
| Flutter the cyclamens, like ghosts | |
| That witness to their story. | |
| Oh, fair! Oh, white! Oh, pure as snow! | 5 |
| On countless graves how sweet they grow! | |
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| Or crimson, like the cruel wounds | |
| From which the life-blood, flowing, | |
| Poured out where now on grassy mounds | |
| The low, soft winds are blowing: | 10 |
| Oh, fair! Oh, red! Like blood of slain; | |
| Not even time can cleanse that stain. | |
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| But when my dear these blossoms holds, | |
| All loveliness her dower, | |
| All woe and joy the past enfolds | 15 |
| In her find fullest flower. | |
| Oh, fair! Oh, pure! Oh, white and red! | |
| If she but live, what are the dead! | |
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