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My nosegays are for captives;

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My nosegays are for captives;   Dim, long-expectant eyes, Fingers denied the plucking,   Patient till paradise. To such, if they should whisper   Of morning and the moor, They…

My best Acquaintances are those

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932 My best Acquaintances are those With Whom I spoke no Word- The Stars that stated come to Town Esteemed Me never rude Although to their Celestial Call I failed…

Mute thy Coronation

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151 Mute thy Coronation- Meek my Vive le roi, Fold a tiny courtier In thine Ermine, Sir, There to rest revering Till the pageant by, I can murmur broken, Master,…

Must be a Woe

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571 Must be a Woe- A loss or so- To bend the eye Best Beauty’s way- But-once aslant It notes Delight As difficult As Stalactite A Common Bliss Were had…

Musicians wrestle everywhere

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Musicians wrestle everywhere — All day — among the crowded air I hear the silver strife — And — walking — long before the morn — Such transport breaks upon…

Much Madness

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Much Madness is divinest Sense – To a discerning Eye – Much Sense – the starkest Madness – ‘Tis the Majority In this, as All, prevail – Assent – and…

Most she touched me by her muteness

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760 Most she touched me by her muteness- Most she won me by the way She presented her small figure- Plea itself-for Charity- Were a Crumb my whole possession- Were…

Morns like these-we parted

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27 Morns like these-we parted- Noons like these-she rose- Fluttering first-then firmer To her fair repose. Never did she lisp it- It was not for me- She-was mute from transport-…

Mine-by the Right of the White Election!

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528 Mine-by the Right of the White Election! Mine-by the Royal Seal! Mine-by the Sign in the Scarlet prison- Bars-cannot conceal! Mine-here-in Vision-and in Veto! Mine-by the Grave’s Repeal- Tilted-Confirmed-…

Me! Come! My dazzled face

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Me! Come! My dazzled face In such a shining place! Me! Hear! My foreign ear The sounds of welcome near! The saints shall meet Our bashful feet. My holiday shall…

Me prove it now-Whoever doubt

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537 Me prove it now-Whoever doubt Me stop to prove it-now- Make haste-the Scruple! Death be scant For Opportunity- The River reaches to my feet- As yet-My Heart be dry-…

Me from Myself – to banish

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642 Me from Myself – to banish – Had I Art – Impregnable my Fortress Unto All Heart – But since Myself – assault Me – How have I peace…

Many cross the Rhine

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123 Many cross the Rhine In this cup of mine. Sip old Frankfort air From my brown Cigar.

Many a phrase has the English language

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Many a phrase has the English language — I have heard but one — Low as the laughter of the Cricket, Loud, as the Thunder’s Tongue — Murmuring, like old…

Many a phrase has the English language

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276 Many a phrase has the English language- I have heard but one- Low as the laughter of the Cricket, Loud, as the Thunder’s Tongue- Murmuring, like old Caspian Choirs,…

Low at my problem bending

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69 Low at my problem bending, Another problem comes- Larger than mine-Serener- Involving statelier sums. I check my busy pencil, My figures file away. Wherefore, my baffled fingers They perplexity?

Like Mighty Foot Lights-burned the Red

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595 Like Mighty Foot Lights-burned the Red At Bases of the Trees- The far Theatricals of Day Exhibiting-to These- ‘Twas Universe-that did applaud- While Chiefest-of the Crowd- Enabled by his…

Least Bee that brew

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676 Least Bee that brew- A Honey’s Weight Content Her smallest fraction help The Amber Quantity-

Knows how to forget!

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433 Knows how to forget! But could It teach it? Easiest of Arts, they say When one learn how Dull Hearts have died In the Acquisition Sacrificed for Science Is…

Kill your Balm-and its Odors bless you

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238 Kill your Balm-and its Odors bless you- Bare your Jessamine-to the storm- And she will fling her maddest perfume- Haply-your Summer night to Charm- Stab the Bird-that built in…

IV: Rouge Gagne

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4 ‘Tis so much joy! ‘Tis so much joy! If I should fail, what poverty! And yet, as poor as I, Have ventured all upon a throw; Have gained! Yes!…

It’s such a little thing to weep

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189 It’s such a little thing to weep- So short a thing to sigh- And yet-by Trades-the size of these We men and women die!

It’s coming-the postponeless Creature

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390 It’s coming-the postponeless Creature- It gains the Block-and now-it gains the Door- Chooses its latch, from all the other fastenings- Enters-with a “You know Me-Sir”? Simple Salute-and certain Recognition-…

It would never be Common-more-I said

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430 It would never be Common-more-I said- Difference-had begun- Many a bitterness-had been- But that old sort-was done- Or-if it sometime-showed-as ’twill- Upon the Downiest-Morn- Such bliss-had I-for all the…

It was too late for Man

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623 It was too late for Man- But early, yet, for God- Creation-impotent to help- But Prayer-remained-Our Side- How excellent the Heaven- When Earth-cannot be had- How hospitable-then-the face Of…

It troubled me as once I was

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600 It troubled me as once I was- For I was once a Child- Concluding how an Atom-fell- And yet the Heavens-held- The Heavens weighed the most-by far- Yet Blue-and…

It tossed-and tossed

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723 It tossed-and tossed- A little Brig I knew-o’ertook by Blast- It spun-and spun- And groped delirious, for Morn- It slipped-and slipped- As One that drunken-stept- Its white foot tripped-…

It sifts from Leaden Sieves

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311 It sifts from Leaden Sieves- It powders all the Wood. It fills with Alabaster Wool The Wrinkles of the Road- It makes an Even Face Of Mountain, and of…

It might be lonelier

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405 It might be lonelier Without the Loneliness- I’m so accustomed to my Fate- Perhaps the Other-Peace- Would interrupt the Dark- And crowd the little Room- Too scant-by Cubits-to contain…

It makes no difference abroad

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620 It makes no difference abroad- The Seasons-fit-the same- The Mornings blossom into Noons- And split their Pods of Flame- Wild flowers-kindle in the Woods- The Brooks slam-all the Day-…

It knew no Medicine

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559 It knew no Medicine- It was not Sickness-then- Nor any need of Surgery- And therefore-’twas not Pain- It moved away the Cheeks- A Dimple at a time- And left…

It knew no lapse, nor Diminuation

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560 It knew no lapse, nor Diminuation- But large-serene- Burned on-until through Dissolution- It failed from Men- I could not deem these Planetary forces Annulled- But suffered an Exchange of…

It is a lonesome Glee

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774 It is a lonesome Glee- Yet sanctifies the Mind- With fair association- Afar upon the Wind A Bird to overhear Delight without a Cause- Arrestless as invisible- A matter…

It feels a shame to be Alive

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444 It feels a shame to be Alive- When Men so brave-are dead- One envies the Distinguished Dust- Permitted-such a Head- The Stone-that tells defending Whom This Spartan put away…

It Dropped So Low — In My Regard —

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It dropped so low — in my Regard — I heard it hit the Ground — And go to pieces on the Stones At bottom of my Mind — Yet…

It did not surprise me

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39 It did not surprise me- So I said-or thought- She will stir her pinions And the nest forgot, Traverse broader forests- Build in gayer boughs, Breathe in Ear more…

It ceased to hurt me, though so slow

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584 It ceased to hurt me, though so slow I could not feel the Anguish go- But only knew by looking back- That something-had benumbed the Track- Nor when it…

It can’t be

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It can’t be “Summer”! That-got through! It’s early-yet-for “Spring”! There’s that long town of White-to cross- Before the Blackbirds sing! It can’t be “Dying”! It’s too Rouge- The Dead shall…

It bloomed and dropt, a Single Noon

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978 It bloomed and dropt, a Single Noon- The Flower-distinct and Red- I, passing, thought another Noon Another in its stead Will equal glow, and thought no More But came…

It always felt to me – a wrong

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597 It always felt to me – a wrong To that Old Moses – done – To let him see – the Canaan – Without the entering – And tho’…

Is it true, dear Sue?

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218 Is it true, dear Sue? Are there two? I shouldn’t like to come For fear of joggling Him! If I could shut him up In a Coffee Cup, Or…

Is Bliss then, such Abyss

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340 Is Bliss then, such Abyss, I must not put my foot amiss For fear I spoil my shoe? I’d rather suit my foot Than save my Boot- For yet…

Inconceivably solemn!

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582 Inconceivably solemn! Things go gay Pierce-by the very Press Of Imagery- Their far Parades-order on the eye With a mute Pomp- A pleading Pageantry- Flags, are a brave sight-…

In rags mysterious as these

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117 In rags mysterious as these The shining Courtiers go- Veiling the purple, and the plumes- Veiling the ermine so. Smiling, as they request an alms- At some imposing door!…

In lands I never saw-they say

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124 In lands I never saw-they say Immortal Alps look down- Whose Bonnets touch the firmament- Whose Sandals touch the town- Meek at whose everlasting feet A Myriad Daisy play-…

III: Rouge Et Noir

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3 Soul, Wilt thou toss again? By just such a hazard Hundreds have lost, indeed- But tens have won an all- Angel’s breathless ballot Lingers to record thee; Imps in…

If your Nerve, deny you

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292 If your Nerve, deny you — Go above your Nerve — He can lean against the Grave, If he fear to swerve — That’s a steady posture — Never…

If What we could-were what we would

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407 If What we could-were what we would- Criterion-be small- It is the Ultimate of Talk- The Impotence to Tell-

If this is

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120 If this is “fading” Oh let me immediately “fade”! If this is “dying” Bury me, in such a shroud of red! If this is “sleep,” On such a night…

If she had been the Mistletoe

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44 If she had been the Mistletoe And I had been the Rose- How gay upon your table My velvet life to close- Since I am of the Druid, And…

If recollecting were forgetting

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33 If recollecting were forgetting, Then I remember not. And if forgetting, recollecting, How near I had forgot. And if to miss, were merry, And to mourn, were gay, How…

If it had no pencil

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921 If it had no pencil Would it try mine- Worn-now-and dull-sweet, Writing much to thee. If it had no word, Would it make the Daisy, Most as big as…

If I shouldn’t be alive

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182 If I shouldn’t be alive When the Robins come, Give the one in Red Cravat, A Memorial crumb. If I couldn’t thank you, Being fast asleep, You will know…

If I should die

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54 If I should die, And you should live- And time should gurgle on- And morn should beam- And noon should burn- As it has usual done- If Birds should…

If I can stop

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If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting…

If He dissolve-then-there is nothing

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If He dissolve-then-there is nothing-more- Eclipse-at Midnight- It was dark-before- Sunset-at Easter- Blindness-on the Dawn- Faint Star of Bethlehem- Gone down! Would but some God-inform Him- Or it be too…

If Blame be my side-forfeit Me

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775 If Blame be my side-forfeit Me- But doom me not to forfeit Thee- To forfeit Thee? The very name Is sentence from Belief-and House-

If any sink, assure that this, now standing

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358 If any sink, assure that this, now standing- Failed like Themselves-and conscious that it rose- Grew by the Fact, and not the Understanding How Weakness passed-or Force-arose- Tell that…

Ideals are the Fairly Oil

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983 Ideals are the Fairly Oil With which we help the Wheel But when the Vital Axle turns The Eye rejects the Oil.

I’ve nothing else-to bring, You know

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224 I’ve nothing else-to bring, You know- So I keep bringing These- Just as the Night keeps fetching Stars To our familiar eyes- Maybe, we shouldn’t mind them- Unless they…

I’ve none to tell me to but Thee

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881 I’ve none to tell me to but Thee So when Thou failest, nobody. It was a little tie- It just held Two, nor those it held Since Somewhere thy…

I’m the little

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176 I’m the little “Heart’s Ease”! I don’t care for pouting skies! If the Butterfly delay Can I, therefore, stay away? If the Coward Bumble Bee In his chimney corner…

I’m sorry for the Dead — Today

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I’m sorry for the Dead — Today — It’s such congenial times Old Neighbors have at fences — It’s time o’ year for Hay. And Broad — Sunburned Acquaintance Discourse…

I’m nobody! Who are you?

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I’m nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too? Then there’s a pair of us — don’t tell! They’d banish us; you know! How dreary to be somebody! How public…

I’m ceded-I’ve stopped being Theirs

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508 I’m ceded-I’ve stopped being Theirs- The name They dropped upon my face With water, in the country church Is finished using, now, And They can put it with my…

I’m

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199 I’m “wife”-I’ve finished that- That other state- I’m Czar-I’m “Woman” now- It’s safer so- How odd the Girl’s life looks Behind this soft Eclipse- I think that Earth feels…

I’ll send the feather from my Hat!

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687 I’ll send the feather from my Hat! Who knows-but at the sight of that My Sovereign will relent? As trinket-worn by faded Child- Confronting eyes long-comforted- Blisters the Adamant!

I’ll clutch-and clutch

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427 I’ll clutch-and clutch- Next-One-Might be the golden touch- Could take it- Diamonds-Wait- I’m diving-just a little late- But stars-go slow-for night- I’ll string you-in fine Necklace- Tiaras-make-of some- Wear…

I would distil a cup

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16 I would distill a cup, And bear to all my friends, Drinking to her no more astir, By beck, or burn, or moor!

I went to thank Her

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363 I went to thank Her- But She Slept- Her Bed-a funneled Stone- With Nosegays at the Head and Foot- That Travellers-had thrown- Who went to thank Her- But She…

I tried to think a lonelier Thing

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532 I tried to think a lonelier Thing Than any I had seen- Some Polar Expiation-An Omen in the Bone Of Death’s tremendous nearness- I probed Retrieverless things My Duplicate-to…

I tie my Hat – I crease my Shawl

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443 I tie my Hat – I crease my Shawl – Life’s little duties do – precisely – As the very least Were infinite – to me – I put…

I think to Live-may be a Bliss

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646 I think to Live-may be a Bliss To those who dare to try- Beyond my limit to conceive- My lip-to testify- I think the Heart I former wore Could…

I think the Hemlock likes to stand

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I think the Hemlock likes to stand Upon a Marge of Snow- It suits his own Austerity- And satisfies an awe That men, must slake in Wilderness- And in the…

I think just how my shape will rise

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237 I think just how my shape will rise- When I shall be “forgiven”- Till Hair-and Eyes-and timid Head- Are out of sight-in Heaven- I think just how my lips…

I think I was enchanted

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593 I think I was enchanted When first a sombre Girl- I read that Foreign Lady- The Dark-felt beautiful- And whether it was noon at night- Or only Heaven-at Noon-…

I taste a liquor never brewed

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I taste a liquor never brewed, From tankards scooped in pearl; Not all the vats upon the Rhine Yield such an alcohol! Inebriate of air am I, And debauchee of…

I stole them from a Bee

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200 I stole them from a Bee- Because-Thee- Sweet plea- He pardoned me!

I stepped from plank to plank

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I stepped from plank to plank   So slow and cautiously; The stars about my head I felt,   About my feet the sea. I knew not but the next…

I sing to use the Waiting

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850 I sing to use the Waiting My Bonnet but to tie And shut the Door unto my House No more to do have I Till His best step approaching…

I showed her Heights she never saw

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446 I showed her Heights she never saw- “Would’st Climb,” I said? She said-“Not so”- “With me-” I said-With me? I showed her Secrets-Morning’s Nest- The Rope the Nights were…

I should have been too glad, I see

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313 I should have been too glad, I see- Too lifted-for the scant degree Of Life’s penurious Round- My little Circuit would have shamed This new Circumference-have blamed- The homelier…

I shall keep singing!

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250 I shall keep singing! Birds will pass me On their way to Yellower Climes- Each-with a Robin’s expectation- I-with my Redbreast- And my Rhymes- Late-when I take my place…

I see thee better-in the Dark

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I see thee better-in the Dark- I do not need a Light- The Love of Thee-a Prism be- Excelling Violet- I see thee better for the Years That hunch themselves…

I robbed the Woods

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41 I robbed the Woods- The trusting Woods. The unsuspecting Trees Brought out their Burs and mosses My fantasy to please. I scanned their trinkets curious-I grasped-I bore away- What…

I reckon-when I count it all

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569 I reckon-when I count it all- First-Poets-Then the Sun- Then Summer-Then the Heaven of God- And then-the List is done- But, looking back-the First so seems To Comprehend the…

I read my sentence-steadily

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412 I read my sentence-steadily- Reviewed it with my eyes, To see that I made no mistake In its extremest clause- The Date, and manner, of the shame- And then…

I pay-in Satin Cash

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402 I pay-in Satin Cash- You did not state-your price- A Petal, for a Paragraph It near as I can guess-

I Never Saw a Moor

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I never saw a moor; I never saw the sea, Yet know I how the heather looks And what a billow be. I never spoke with God, Nor visited in…

I met a King this afternoon!

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166 I met a King this afternoon! He had not on a Crown indeed, A little Palmleaf Hat was all, And he was barefoot, I’m afraid! But sure I am…

I meant to have but modest needs

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476 I meant to have but modest needs – Such as Content – and Heaven – Within my income – these could lie And Life and I – keep even…

I meant to find Her when I came

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718 I meant to find Her when I came- Death-had the same design- But the Success-was His-it seems- And the Surrender-Mine- I meant to tell Her how I longed For…

I make His Crescent fill or lack

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909 I make His Crescent fill or lack- His Nature is at Full Or Quarter-as I signify- His Tides-do I control- He holds superior in the Sky Or gropes, at…

I made slow Riches but my Gain

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843 I made slow Riches but my Gain Was steady as the Sun And every Night, it numbered more Than the preceding One All Days, I did not earn the…

I lived on dread; to those who know

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I lived on dread; to those who know The stimulus there is In danger, other impetus Is numb and vital-less. As’t were a spur upon the soul, A fear will…

I live with Him-I see His face

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463 I live with Him-I see His face- I go no more away For Visitor-or Sundown- Death’s single privacy The Only One-forestalling Mine- And that-by Right that He Presents a…

I like to see it lap the Miles

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I like to see it lap the Miles- And lick the Valleys up- And stop to feed itself at Tanks- And then-prodigious step Around a Pile of Mountains- And supercilious…

I like a look of Agony

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241 I like a look of Agony, Because I know it’s true – Men do not sham Convulsion, Nor simulate, a Throe – The Eyes glaze once – and that…

I know where Wells grow-Droughtless Wells

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460 I know where Wells grow-Droughtless Wells- Deep dug-for Summer days- Where Mosses go no more away- And Pebble-safely plays- It’s made of Fathoms-and a Belt- A Belt of jagged…

I know that He exists

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I know that He exists. Somewhere — in Silence — He has hid his rare life From our gross eyes. ‘Tis an instant’s play. ‘Tis a fond Ambush — Just…