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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A SONG by HENRY RUTGERS REMSEN

First Line: KNOWEST THOU BUT JOY
Last Line: AND SMILES THROUGH TEARS.

KNOWEST thou but joy,
Laughing lip and brilliant eye?
Sing not thou, for joy,
Being joy, must shortly die.

Knowest thou but pain,
Tears so salt they sting like fire?
Sing not thou, for pain
Seals the heart from high desire.

But if both are thine,
Joy that shines through sorrow's sadness,
Sorrow mingling song with gladness,
Sing thou then, the world thee hears
And smiles through tears.



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