What is life that we should love it, Cherishing it evermore, Never prizing aught above it, Ever loath to give it o'er? Is it goodness? Is it gladness? Nay, 'tis more of sin and sadness, Nay, of weariness 'tis more. Earthly joys are very fleeting -- Earthly sorrows very long; -- Parting ever follows meeting, Night succeeds to even-song. Storms may darken in the morning, And eclipse the sun's bright dawning, And the chilly gloom prolong. But though clouds may screen and hide it The sun shines for evermore; Then bear grief in hope: abide it, Knowing that it must give o'er: And the darkness shall flee from us, And the sun beam down upon us Ever glowing more and more. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SEA-MEW by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING A BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 19. THE FAIRY QUEEN PROSERPINA by THOMAS CAMPION THE BIRD WITH THE COPPERY, KEEN CLAWS by WALLACE STEVENS THE WORLD (1) by HENRY VAUGHAN COMPOSED BY THE SEA-SIDE NEAR CALAIS [AUGUST 1802] by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH H. SACRAMENT by JOSEPH BEAUMONT THE PLAYERS by FRANCIS LAWRENCE BICKLEY HYMN WRITTEN IN DESPONDENCY by ANN ELIZA BLEECKER PARLEYINGS WITH CERTAIN PEOPLE OF IMPORTANCE: GEORGE BUBB DODINGTON by ROBERT BROWNING |