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FIRST AND LAST
DAWN broke over us cool and sweet
So long ago!
The great gods walking in the dew
Made a path for our feet;
Gave roses to me and lilies to you,
And with reeds of the river rare music blew
And made a path for our feet.
But the hours that came with the growing light
Drooped as if they were years,
And in faint flute-music from far away,
The gods, departing, turned to say,
"Nothing can heal the heat of the day
Save night with its rain of tears."
The wind may carry the roses away,
But the human heart can only pray;
Pray to the gods thro' the weary years
For night — for night with its rain of tears.
