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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO ONE STRICKEN AND SMITTEN by EMILY HENRIETTA HICKEY

First Line: DOES NOT THY DOOR STAND OPEN FREE
Last Line: I WILL COME IN AND LOVE THEE, SWEET.

DOES not thy door stand open free,
Ever day by day and night to me? --
I will come in and sing to thee.

Come, with the tears scarce dry on my cheek,
Come to thy heart, beloved, and speak
Of love the strong, in my words the weak.

Rough is the way thy feet have trod;
Ah, and thy blood hath stained the sod;
Who shall entreat for thee to God?

Lo, but the earth at rest doth lie,
Drinking in dew abundantly --
Why should thy soul be parched and dry?

Lo, but the earth laughs laughter free,
Girt with the sunbeams' grace and glee --
Thou art bedrenched in thine agony.

Shall I not sing for thee soft and low,
That which I sang for thee long ago?
O my darling, I love thee so!

Dear, while thy fretted spirit curbs
Hunger with life's most bitter herbs,
And while the rush and noise disturbs,

And while the thorns yet pierce thy feet, --
Yea, to the end of peace complete,
I will come in and love thee, sweet.



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