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had my flower bloomed when one
 * By one its crimson petals fell;
 * Touched by some change inscrutable

Its life and loveliness were done.

And with it something in my heart
 * Suddenly passed and was no more,
 * As if a hand had closed the door

Where Beauty, dreaming, sat apart.

O life, O loveliness, how brief!
 * How soon the costly wine is spilled—
 * The casket sealed, the laughter stilled!

But O, how long, how endless, grief!

So musing, mourning, I complained,
 * When lo! a seed replaced my flower;
 * All that was drawn from sun and shower

In substance still to me remained.