LONG life hath taught me many things, and shown That lukewarm loves for men who die are best, Weak wine of liking let them mix alone, Not Love, that stings the soul within the breast; Happy, who wears his love-bonds lightliest, Now cherished, now away at random thrown! Grievous it is for other's grief to moan, Hard that my soul for thine should lose her rest! Wise ruling this of life: but yet again Perchance too rigid diet is not well; He lives not best who dreads the coming pain And shunneth each delight desirable: @3Flee thou extremes,@1 this word alone is plain, Of all that God hath given to Man to spell! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODE ON THE PLEASURE ARISING FROM VICISSITUDE by THOMAS GRAY THE FALLOW DEER AT THE LONELY HOUSE by THOMAS HARDY THE SLAVE AUCTION by FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER TO AMARANTHA, THAT SHE WOULD DISHEVEL HER HAIR by RICHARD LOVELACE VOLATUS TRIUMPHANS by LUCIUS MORRIS BEEBE |