| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| The First Kiss |
| | | Norman Gale (b. 1862) |
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| ON Helen’s heart the day were night! | |
| But I may not adventure there: | |
| Here breast is guarded by a right, | |
| And she is true as fair. | |
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| And though in happy days her eyes | 5 |
| The glow within mine own could please, | |
| She ’s purer than the babe who cries | |
| For empire on her knees. | |
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| Her love is for her lord and child, | |
| And unto them belongs her snow; | 10 |
| But none can rob me of her wild | |
| Young kiss of long ago! | |
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