| Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922. | | | | Douglas | | By Dinah Maria Mulock Craik (1826–1887) |
| | ‘Douglas, Douglas, tender and true’
COULD ye come back to me, Douglas, Douglas, | |
| In the old likeness that I knew, | |
| I would be so faithful, so loving, Douglas, | |
| Douglas, Douglas, tender and true! | |
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| Never a scornful word should grieve ye, | 5 |
| I’d smile on ye sweet as the angels do: | |
| Sweet as your smile on me shone ever, | |
| Douglas, Douglas, tender and true. | |
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| O, to call back the days that are not! | |
| My eyes were blinded, your words were few: | 10 |
| Do you know the truth now, up in heaven, | |
| Douglas, Douglas, tender and true? | |
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| I never was worthy of you, Douglas— | |
| Not half worthy the like of you: | |
| Now all men beside seem to me like shadows— | 15 |
| I love you, Douglas, tender and true. | |
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| Stretch out your hand to me, Douglas, Douglas, | |
| Drop forgiveness from heaven like dew; | |
| As I lay my heart on your dead heart, Douglas, | |
| Douglas, Douglas, tender and true! | 20 | | | |
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