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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


WITHER AWAY by THOMAS HAYNES BAYLY

First Line: WITHER AWAY, GREEN LEAVES
Last Line: WHEN ALL ITS FOND HOPES WITHER.
Subject(s): TRANSIENCE; IMPERMANENCE;

WITHER away, green leaves,
Wither away, sweet flowers;
For me in vain young Spring has thrown
Her mantle o'er the bowers:
Sing not to me, gay birds,
Borne in bright plumage hither;
The heart recoils from pleasure's voice
When all its fond hopes wither!

Wither away, my friends,
Whom I have loved sincerely;
'T is hard to sigh for the silent tomb
As a place of rest, so early!
While others prize the rose,
The cypress wreath I'll gather;
The heart recoils from pleasure's voice
When all its fond hopes wither.



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