Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ECHOES: 45, by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ECHOES: 45, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: From the brake the nightingale
Last Line: Love a last year's rose.
Alternate Author Name(s): Henley, W. E.
Subject(s): Birds; Flowers; Nightingales; Roses


From the brake the Nightingale
Sings exulting to the Rose;
Though he sees her waxing pale
In her passionate repose,
While she triumphs waxing frail,
Fading even while she glows;
Though he knows
How it goes --
Knows of last year's Nightingale,
Wise the well-beloved Rose!
Love and life shall still prevail,
Nor the silence at the close
Break the magic of the tale
In the telling, though it shows --
Who but knows
How it goes! --
Life a last year's Nightingale,
Love a last year's Rose.





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