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THE RETURN FROM ELBA.

Keeps to-night in anxious thinking

Every wit disconsolate.

And each courtier, fearful, cowers,

As beneath his armed foes,

When, amid the scent of flowers,

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Violet mingles with the rose.

Restless pace among the courtiers

Older men of sterner mien;

At their breasts no royal orders,

Violets blue alone are seen;

'Mid the seeming pleasure-seekers,

Seems their converse low and dark, -

"Hast thou heard the warlike murmur

Coming ever nearer, - hark!

Breathest thou the violet's fragrance

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