Always without a heavier heart (3)

I believe the answer is:

eer

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'always' is the definition.
(synonyms)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for eer that I've seen before include "Always (poetical)" , "Always (poetic)" , "Before, poetically speaking (1'2)" , "Ever poetically" , "Ever to the poet (3)." .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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