1        Thy strong arms are around me, love
2             My head is on thy breast;
3        Low words of comfort come from thee
4             Yet my soul has no rest.

5           For I am but a startled thing
6                 Nor can I ever be
7        Aught save a bird whose broken wing
8             Must fly away from thee.

9          I cannot give to thee the love
10               I gave so long ago,
11     The love that turned and struck me down
12             Amid the blinding snow.

13         I can but give a failing heart
14             And weary eyes of pain,
15         A faded mouth that cannot smile
16            And may not laugh again.

17      Yet keep thine arms around me, love,
18             Until I fall to sleep;
19        Then leave me, saying no goodbye
20           Lest I make wake, and weep.

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