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And underneath its shelter stood, Leant like a beauty o'er the flood Watching each tender bud unclose, A beautiful white Provence rose;— Yet wan and pale as that it knew What changing skies and sun could do; As that it knew, and, knowing, sigh'd, The vanity of summer pride; As watching could put off the hour When falls the leaf and fades the flower. Alas! that every lovely thing Lives only but for withering,— That spring rainbows and summer shine End but in autumn's pale decline.

And here the lovers met, what hour The bee departed from the flower,