YOU are moaning, "Life is waning," You are droning, "Flesh is weak:" Tell me too, what I am gaining While I listen, while you speak. If you say the rose is blooming, But the blast will soon destroy it, Do so, not to set me glooming, But to make me best enjoy it. Calm the heart's insatiate yearning Towards the distant, the unknown: Only do so, without turning Men to beasts, or flesh to stone. Cry not loud, "The world is mad! Lord! how long shall folly rule?" If you've nothing but the sad To replace the jovial fool. Sorrow is its own clear preacher, -- Death is still on Nature's tongue; -- Life and joy require the teacher, Honour Youth and keep it young. Even you, ascetics, rightly, Should appreciate Love and Joy; -- For what you regard so lightly Where's the merit to destroy? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE BIGLOW PAPERS: 6. THE PIOUS EDITOR'S CREED by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL NORTH-WEST PASSAGE: 3. IN PORT by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON PRESCIENCE by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH COMPLAINS OF THE SHORTNESS OF LIFE; AN IDYLLIUM by BION |