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6
In crisscrossed tedium
And danger the whole day
He'll bargain time away
For his and both sides' sake
And watch with the setting sun
The little that he'd won
Lost, it may be, to some
Known mistake.
7
And Solon wants a long
Life (and a death to grieve
A city that he'd leave
Less open to outrage),
Arguing with his friend
Who, saying life should end
At sixty, going strong,
Dreads old age.
8
And after hot daylight
The spacious, lamplit night --
Among its goings on
The glowing Cyprian
(With luck) helps from above
Delicious physical love
Up to the cooling, white
Touch of dawn.