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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AND THEN NO MORE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I saw her once, one little while, and then no more
Last Line: Would beat anew a little while, and then no more.


I SAW her once, one little while, and then no more:
'Twas Eden's light on earth awhile, and then no more.
Amid the throng she pass'd along the meadow-floor:
Spring seem'd to smile on earth awhile, and then no more;
But whence she came, which way she went, what garb she wore,
I noted not; I gazed awhile, and then no more.

I saw her once, one little while, and then no more:
'Twas Paradise on earth awhile, and then no more:
Ah! what avail my vigils pale, my magic lore?
She shone before mine eyes awhile, and then no more.
The shallop of my peace is wreck'd on Beauty's shore;
Near Hope's fair isle it rode awhile, and then no more.

I saw her once, one little while, and then no more.
Earth looked like heaven a little while, and then no more.
Her presence thrill'd and lighted to its inner core
My desert breast a little while, and then no more.
So may, perchance, a meteor glance at midnight o'er
Some ruin'd pile a little while, and then no more.

I saw her once, one little while, and then no more.
The earth was peri-land awhile, and then no more.
Oh, might I see but once again, as once before,
Through chance or wile, that shape awhile, and then no more!
Death soon would heal my griefs! This heart now sad and sore
Would beat anew a little while, and then no more.





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