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| WHEN the brow of June is crowned by the rose | |
| And the air is faint and fain with her breath, | |
| Then the Earth hath rest from her long birth-throes. | |
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| The Earth hath rest and forgetteth her woes | |
| As she watcheth the cradle of Love and Death, | 5 |
| When the brow of June is crowned by the rose. | |
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| O Love and Death, who are counted for foes, | |
| She sees you twins of one mind and faith— | |
| The Earth at rest from her long birth-throes. | |
| |
| You are twins to the mother who sees and knows; | 10 |
| ‘Let them strive and thrive together,’ she saith,— | |
| When the brow of June is crowned by the rose. | |
| |
| They strive, and Love his brother outgrows, | |
| But for strength and beauty he travaileth | |
| On the Earth at rest from her long birth-throes. | 15 |
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| And still when his passionate heart o’erflows | |
| Death winds about him a bridal wreath,— | |
| As the brow of June is crowned by the rose! | |
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| So the bands of Death true lovers enclose, | |
| For Love and Death are as Sword and Sheath, | 20 |
| When the Earth hath rest from her long birth-throes. | |
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| They are Sword and Sheath, they are Life and its Shows | |
| Which lovers have grace to see beneath, | |
| When the brow of June is crowned by the rose | |
| And the Earth hath rest from her long birth-throes. | 25 |
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