LINES FOR A BED AT KELMSCOTT MANOR

"The wind's on the wold

And the night is a-cold,

And Thames runs chill

Twixt mead and hill,

But kind and dear

Is the old house here,

And my heart is warm

Midst winter's harm.

Rest then and rest,

And think of the best

Twixt summer and spring

When all birds sing

In the town of the tree,

And ye lie in me

And scarce dare move

Lest earth and its love

Should fade away

Ere the full of the day.

I am old and have seen

Many things that have been,

Both grief and peace,

And wane and increase.

No tale I tell

Of ill or well,

But this I say,

Night treadeth on day,

And for worst and best

Right good is rest."

William Morris

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