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I Like You And I Love You

I LIKE YOU Met I LOVE You, face to face;

The path was narrow, and they could not pass.

I LIKE YOU smiled; I LOVE YOU cried, Alas!

And so they halted for a little space.

"Turn thou and go before," I LOVE YOU said,

"Down the green pathway, bright with many a flower;

Deep in the valley, lo! my bridal bower

Awaits thee." But I LIKE YOU shook his head.

Then while they lingered on the span-wide shelf

That shaped a pathway round the rocky ledge,

I LIKE You bared his icy dagger's edge,

And first he slew I LOVE You, - then himself.