Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON THE LIFE OF MAN by FRANCIS BEAUMONT

Poet Analysis

First Line: LIKE TO THE FALLING OF A STAR
Last Line: THE FLIGHT IS PAST, AND MAN FORGOT.
Subject(s): LIFE;
Like to the falling of a star,
Or as the flights of eagles are,
Or like the fresh spring's gaudy hue,
Or silver drops of morning dew;
Or like the wind that chafes the flood,
Or bubbles which on water stood:
Even such is man, whose borrowed light
Is straight called in and paid to night:
The wind blows out, the bubble dies,
The spring intombed in autumn lies;
The dew's dried up, the star is shot,
The flight is past, and man forgot.



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