What is this above thy head, O Man? ''" The World, all overspread With pearls and golden rays And gems ablaze; A sight which day and night Fills an eye's span. What is this beneath thy feet, O Saint ? ''" The World, a nauseous sweet Puffed up and perishing ; A hollow thing, A lie, a vanity Tinsel and paint. What is she while time is time, O Man ? ''" In a perpetual prime Beauty and youth she hath; And her footpath Breeds flowers thro' dancing hours Since time began. While time lengthens what is she, O Saint? - Nought: yea, all men shall see How she is nought at all, When her death-pall Of fire ends their desire And brands her taint. Ah poorest Man, befooled and slow and faint! Ah poorest Man, if so Thou turn thy back on bliss And choose amiss! For thou art choosing now: Sinner, - or Saint. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES CHANSON INNOCENTE: 2 by EDWARD ESTLIN CUMMINGS A FAREWELL TO FOLLY: CONTENT by ROBERT GREENE L'ENVOI: THE RETURN OF THE SIRE DE NESLE, A.D. 16 - by HERMAN MELVILLE VERSES OCCASIONED BY THE SUDDEN DRYING UP..ST.PATRICK'S WELL by JONATHAN SWIFT TELLING THE BEES by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER EVENING ON CALAIS BEACH by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH STEADFASTNESS; THE LOVER BESEECHETH HIS MISTRESS by THOMAS WYATT |