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Shawords

Quote#Nature

Before the beginning of years

Quote byAlgernon Charles Swinburne · 1837–1909

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Atalanta in Calydon (1865), , st. 1.

English (original)

Before the beginning of years There came to the making of man Time with a gift of tears, Grief with a glass that ran, Pleasure with pain for leaven, Summer with flowers that fell, Remembrance fallen from heaven, And Madness risen from hell, Strength without hands to smite, Love that endures for a breath; Night, the shadow of light, And Life, the shadow of death.

— Algernon Charles Swinburne

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