Poem by James Joyce

Chamber Music. 33. Now, O Now, in This Brown Land

Now, O now, in this brown land
    Where Love did so sweet music make
We two shall wander, hand in hand,
    Forbearing for old friendship’ sake,
Nor grieve because our love was gay
Which now is ended in this way.

A rogue in red and yellow dress
    Is knocking, knocking at the tree;
And all around our loneliness
    The wind is whistling merrily.
The leaves—they do not sigh at all
When the year takes them in the fall.

Now, O now, we hear no more
    The vilanelle and roundelay!
Yet will we kiss, sweetheart, before
    We take sad leave at close of day.
Grieve not, sweetheart, for anything—
The year, the year is gathering.

1. Chamber Music. 16. O Cool Is the Valley Now
2. Chamber Music. 20. In the Dark Pine-Wood
3. Chamber Music. 27. Though I Thy Mithridates Were
4. Chamber Music. 10. Bright Cap and Streamers
5. Chamber Music. 6. I Would in That Sweet Bosom Be

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