OR take the black or take the white, Or take what gives you most delight; Take all the colours as you may-- But still I say That now, or else another day, Shall failure all your hopes requite. For me I say with certain truth, I formed great projects in my youth, Unfearingly. That I repent my fond mistake, And all atonement wish to make Unsparingly. Vain Hope! it is a little thing, Yet able mighty change to bring, For it can make the coward bold. The rash can make Whatever form his folly take, By wisdom's steady laws to hold. Now would I live in mirth and joy, Happy to be without alloy, And this the way. I ne'er will spend, or fear, or sorrow Upon the present or the morrow; But hap what may, With careless heart the chance receive-- Who weeps at morn may laugh at eve. So take the black or take the white, Or take what gives you most delight; Take all the colours as you may-- But still I say That now, or else another day, Shall failure all your hopes requite. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SERVICE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE HAWK by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS TEARS by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE SONG (2) by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI VALENTINES TO MY MOTHER: 1880 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI SIX TOWN ECLOGUES: SATURDAY; THE SMALL-POX by MARY WORTLEY MONTAGU SONNETS OF SEVEN CITIES: BOSTON by BERTON BRALEY |