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BEFORE THE FIRE.

Of the friends of last July!

While the winged flames yet flutter,

Beating 'gainst their iron cage,

Boyhood's friendships blaze and sputter,

Yet untried by shocks of age.

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Glowing love next flames and flashes

Brightly while it lasts; too soon

Shall December's whitened ashes

Dull the genial glow of June.

Pictured in the maze before me,

Sparkling eyes and golden hair,

And a flood of thoughts come o'er me,

As she stands there false and fair.

But the proverb odd and olden

Burns amid the ruddy coals;

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