BEING

THE POEMS OF FORD BERÊTON

"My youth's dear book "

VITA NUOVA

LONDON

KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH & CO., 1, PATERNOSTER SQUARE

MDCCCLXXXVI

HARVARD UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

JUN 5 1963

(The rights of translation and of reproduction.

are

reserved.)

To you, my heart's Sweet Heart,

Ideal still to me,

My life's far better part—
To you, O wife to be,

Wherever thou mayst wait,
By what dear trysting-gate,
Thy feet all wet with dew,
Thy youth's clear dew-

Dear Muse, so often sought,
Tender and wise and true,
I dedicate anew

My 'youth's dear book' to you,

Howe'er imperfect wrought Its Pansies of pure thought, With Rosemary for remembrance, And Rue, sweet Rue, for you.

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