And brightest things that are theirs
He, she, all of them -- yea,
Treble and tenor and bass.
And one to play;
With the candles mooning each face ...
Ah, no; the years O!
How the sick leaves reel down in throngs!
Elders and juniors -- aye,
Making the pathways neat
And the garden gay;
And they build a shady seat ...
Ah, no; the years, the years;
See, the white storm-birds wing across!
Men and maidens -- yea,
Under the summer tree,
With a glimpse of the bay,
While pet fowl come to the knee ...
Ah, no; the years O!
And the rotten rose is ripped from the wall.
He, she, all of them -- aye,
Clocks and carpets and chairs
On the lawn all day,
And brightest things that are theirs ...
Ah, no; the years, the years;
Down their carved names the raindrop plows.
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