Poems (Curwen)/If we had Known

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If We Had Known.
If we had known how soon death's hand would sever  The silver cord, we had not left unsaid The loving words that we can never, never  Say now unto the dead.
If we had known in that sad hour of parting  Our lips and hands would never meet again, Our farewell words to the dear one departing  Had been in tenderer strain.
If we had known how fast they were approaching  The "silent gate" which each must pass alone, We should not now, with bitter self-reproaching,  Say, "Would that we had known."
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If we had read aright the wistful pleading  In the dear eyes which often sought our own, And understood what the sad soul was needing,  What kindness we had shown.
The faltering steps we would have gladly guided — How could we let them stumble on alone?—And, oh! how tenderly their weakness chided,  If we had only known.
But since regrets are useless, let us learn  The lesson sorrow teaches us to-day, That for the dead there can be no return,  So help and bless the living while we may.

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