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				Title:     I Loved You, Once-- 
			    
Author: George Parsons Lathrop [
More Titles by Lathrop]		                
			    
And did you think my heart
  Could keep its love unchanging,
Fresh as the buds that start
  In spring, nor know estranging?
Listen! The buds depart:
  I loved you once, but now--
  I love you more than ever.
'T is not the early love;
  With day and night it alters,
And onward still must move
  Like earth, that never falters
For storm or star above.
  I loved you once; but now--
  I love you more than ever.
With gifts in those glad days
  How eagerly I sought you!
Youth, shining hope, and praise:
  These were the gifts I brought you.
In this world little stays:
  I loved you once, but now--
  I love you more than ever.
A child with glorious eyes
  Here in our arms half sleeping--
So passion wakeful lies;
  Then grows to manhood, keeping
Its wistful, young surprise:
  I loved you once, but now--
  I love you more than ever.
When age's pinching air
  Strips summer's rich possession,
And leaves the branches bare,
  My secret in confession
Still thus with you I'll share:
  I loved you once, but now--
  I love you more than ever.
[The end]
George Parsons Lathrop's poem: I Loved You, Once--
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