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THE OLD WIFE AND THE NEW
Till that dark forest formed a frame
For vineyards that the gods might bless,
And what was savage once became
An Eden in the wilderness.
And how at their first vintage-time
She laughed and sang — you see such shapes
On vases of the Grecian prime —
And danced a reel upon the grapes!
And ever, as the years went on,
All things she kept with thrifty hand,
Till never shone the sun upon
A fairer homestead in the land.
Then children came — ah, me! ah, me!
Sad blessings that a mother craves!
That old man from his seat could see
The shadows playing o'er their graves.
And then she closed her eyes at last,
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