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PENRHYN'S PILGRIMAGE: CANTO FIRST: 7. AT THE TEMPLE OF KIYOMIDZU by ARTHUR PETERSON

First Line: TIS MORN ON KIYOMIDZU'S HEIGHT
Last Line: SOUNDS REQUIEM AT LIFE'S EVENTIDE!

'Tis morn on Kiyomidzu's height,
Where once the Taiko planned his war,
And from a book of Buddhist lore
I hear the holy priest recite.

Below I see the river lave
That city's feet he loves so well;
And o'er my spirit comes a spell
Like that the fabled lotus gave.

Rest -- rest -- here will I rest. What good
To climb, for aye, the rolling wave,
Like Greek Ulysses, till the grave
Descends upon the weary blood?

O rather, on this mountain side,
With some kind spirit would I dwell
Till over me the temple bell
Sounds requiem at life's eventide!



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