Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE FUGITIVE by JOHN DRINKWATER

Poet Analysis

First Line: BEAUTY HAS COME TO MAKE NO LONGER STAY
Last Line: BUT YOU THAT DIE.
Subject(s): BEAUTY; DEATH; DEAD, THE;
BEAUTY has come to make no longer stay
Than the bright buds of May
In May-time do.

Beauty is with us for one hour, one hour,
Life is so brief a flower;
Thoughts are so few.

Thoughts are so few with mastery to give
Shape to these fugitive
Dear brevities,

That even in its hour beauty is blind,
Because the shallow mind
Not sees, not sees.

And in the mind of man only can be
Alert prosperity
For beauty brief.

So, what can be but little comes to less
Upon the wilderness
Of unbelief.

And beauty that has but an hour to spend
With you for friend,
Goes outcast by.

But know, but know -- for all she is outcast --
It is not she at last,
But you that die.



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