Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, EPHEMERA, by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

EPHEMERA, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Your eyes that once were never weary of mine
Last Line: "are love, and a continual farewell."
Alternate Author Name(s): Yeats, W. B.
Subject(s): Eternity


"Your eyes that once were never weary of mine
"Are bowed in sorrow under pendulous lids,
"Because our love is waning."
And then she:
"Although our love is waning, let us stand
"By the lone border of the lake once more,
"Together in that hour of gentleness
"When the poor tired child, Passion, falls asleep:
"How far away the stars seem, and how far
"Is our first kiss, and ah, how old my heart!"
Pensive they paced along the faded leaves,
While slowly he whose hand held hers replied:
"Passion has often worn out wandering hearts."
The woods were round them, and the yellow leaves
Fell like faint meteors in the gloom, and once
A rabbit old and lame limped down and path:
Autumn was over him; and now they stood
On the lone border of the lake once more:
Turning, he saw that she had thrust dead leave
Gathered in silence, dewy as her eyes,
In bosom and hair.
"Ah, do not mourn," he said,
"That we are tired, for other love await us;
"Hate on and love through unrepining hours,
"Before us lies eternity; our souls
"Are love, and a continual farewell."




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