ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE

Though sore be my burden And more than ye know, And my growth have no guerdon

But only to grow,

Yet I fail not of growing for lightnings above me or deathworms below.

These too have their part in me,

As I too in these ; Such lire is at heart in me,

Such sap is this tree's,

Which hath in it all sounds and all secrets of infinite lands and of seas.

In the spring-colour'd hours

When my mind was as May's There brake forth of me flowers

By centuries of days,

Strong blossoms with perfume of manhood, shot out from my spirit as rays.

And the sound of them springing

And smell of their shoots Were as warmth and sweet singing

And strength to my roots ;

And the lives of my children made perfect with freedom of soul were my fruits.

I bid you but be;

I have need not of prayer; I have need of you free

As your mouths of mine air;

That my heart may be greater within me, beholding the fruits of me fair.

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