Once There Was Time

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <hr style='width: 65%;' /> <SPAN name='ONCE_THERE_WAS_TIME'></SPAN><h3>ONCE THERE WAS TIME</h3> <div class='poem'><div class='stanza'> <span>Let no tears fall<br/></span> <span class='i1'>If then they fell not.<br/></span> <span>If eyes told nothing,<br/></span> <span class='i1'>Now let them tell not.<br/></span> <span>Once there was time<br/></span> <span class='i1'>For words, looks and tears:<br/></span> <span>That time is past, is past&mdash;<br/></span> <span class='i1'>Heart, thou shalt tell not!<br/></span></div> <div class='stanza'> <span>Beyond any speech<br/></span> <span class='i1'>Is silence bitter,<br/></span> <span>As between love and love<br/></span> <span class='i1'>Nothing is sweeter.<br/></span> <span>Once there was time, time yet<br/></span> <span class='i1'>For words, looks and tears ...<br/></span> <span>Past, past, past, past&mdash;<br/></span> <span class='i1'>Nothing so bitter!<br/></span></div> <div class='stanza'> <span>Now if tears come<br/></span> <span class='i1'>That then fell never;<br/></span> <span>If eyes such sad, sad things<br/></span> <span class='i1'>Look now for ever;<br/></span> <span>If words, looks or tears<br/></span> <span class='i1'>Tremble with telling,<br/></span> <span>Oh, what returning voice is it whispers<br/></span> <span class='i1'><i>Never, never, never!</i><br/></span></div> </div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />