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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TWO LIVES. PART 3: 8 by WILLIAM ELLERY LEONARD

First Line: THIS IS THE HILL - AND OVER MY CITY'S TOWERS
Last Line: WHILE STILL SO MANY YET MUST COME TO BIRTH.

This is the hill . . . and over my city's towers,
Across the world from sunset, yonder in air,
Shrines, through its scaffoldings, a civic dome
Of piled masonry, which shall be ours
To give, completed, to our children there . . .
And yonder far roof of my abandoned home
Shall house new laughter. . . Yet I tried. . . I tried. . .
And, ever wistful of the doom to come,
I built her many a fire for love . . . for mirth . . .
(When snows were falling on our oaks outside,
Dear, many a winter fire upon the hearth) . . .
(. . . farewell . . . farewell . . . farewell . . .)
We dare not think too long on those who died,
While still so many yet must come to birth.



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