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Melmillo
Three and thirty birds there stood
In an elder in a wood;
Called Melmillo flew off three,
Leaving thirty in the tree;
Called Melmillo nine now gone,
And the boughs held twenty-one;
Called Melmillo and eighteen
Left but three to nod and preen;
Called Melmillo three two one
Now of birds were feathers none.
Then stole slim Me. millo in
To that wood all dusk and green,
And with lean long palms outspread
Softly a strange dance did tread;
Not a note of music she
Had for echoing company;
All the birds were flown to rest
In the hollow of her breast;
In the wood thorn, elder willow
Danced alone lone danced Melmillo.
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