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Page 357
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11.

WHEN I heard at the close of the day how my name
         had been received with plaudits in the capitol,
         still it was not a happy night for me that fol-
         lowed;
And else, when I caroused, or when my plans were
         accomplished, still I was not happy;
But the day when I rose at dawn from the bed of
         perfect health, refreshed, singing, inhaling the
         ripe breath of autumn,
When I saw the full moon in the west grow pale and
         disappear in the morning light,
When I wandered alone over the beach, and, undress-
         ing, bathed, laughing with the cool waters, and
         saw the sun rise,
And when I thought how my dear friend, my lover,
         was on his way coming, O then I was happy;
O then each breath tasted sweeter—and all that day
         my food nourished me more—And the beautiful
         day passed well,
And the next came with equal joy—And with the
         next, at evening, came my friend;

Page 358
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And that night, while all was still, I heard the waters
         roll slowly continually up the shores,
I heard the hissing rustle of the liquid and sands,
         as directed to me, whispering, to congratulate
         me,
For the one I love most lay sleeping by me under the
         same cover in the cool night,
In the stillness, in the autumn moonbeams, his face
         was inclined toward me,
And his arm lay lightly around my breast—And that
         night I was happy.
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