'THE clock struck one! we take no thought of Time,' Wrapt up in night, and meditating rhyme: All big with vision, we despise the powers That vulgar beings link to days and hours; Those vile, mechanic things, that rule our hearts, And cut our lives in momentary parts. 'That speech of Time was Wisdom's gift,' said Young; Ah, Doctor! better Time would hold his tongue: What serves the clock? 'To warn the careless crew How much in little space they have to do; To bid the busy world resign their breath, And beat each moment a soft call for death -- To give it, then, a tongue, was wise in man.' Support the assertion, Doctor, if you can: It tells the ruffian when his comrades wait; It calls the duns to crowd my hapless gate; It tells my heart the paralysing tale, Of hours to come, when Misery must prevail. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BATTLE OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN [NOVEMBER 24, 1863] by GEORGE HENRY BOKER ODES III, 29 by QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS ADMONITION [TO A TRAVELLER] by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH THE BATTLE-SONG OF GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS by MICHAEL ALTENBURG |