If recollecting were forgetting

Oh if remembering were forgetting -Then I remember not!And if forgetting - recollecting -How near I had forgot!And if to miss - were merry -And to mourn were gay,How very blithe the maidenWho gathered these today!

If recollecting were forgetting,Then I remember not,And if forgetting, recollecting,How near I had forgot,And if to miss, were merry,And to mourn, were gay,How very blithe the fingersThat gathered this, today!

If recollecting is forgetting,then I remember yet.And if forgetting, recollecting,how near I shall forget.And if to miss, were merry,and to mourn, were gay,how very blithe the fingersthat gather this today