ONCE on a time -- we need not care Too nicely for the when and where -- Three princes, who, since Time had birth, Have ruled three provinces on earth, Whate'er the scope of human aims, (Past, Future, Present, were their names,) Met on a pleasant summer's day, And talking in a friendly way Of topics such as neighbors use For mere companionship, -- the news, The weather, or mayhap the price Of bullion since the last advice Touching the royal health, -- began At length to speculate on Man And his affairs; in brief, on all Such subtile themes as, since the Fall, Have puzzled moralists; and then From such deep talk concerning men As ranged from Providence to Fate, They fell at last to sharp debate About themselves, as, who might be In power the greatest of the three. "I," said the Past, "must be the one, Since all things great were surely done By me, -- there's naught in all the land But bears the impress of my hand!" "True," said the Future; "yet reflect, Your doings claim but small respect Compared with mine, -- since all to be Henceforward will be ruled by me!" "Nay," said the Present, "cease your claims; What are ye both but sounding names? All things achieved beneath the sun, And all on earth that shall be done, Are mine alone! O'er great and small The Present still is king of all!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LOVE SONG OF J. ALFRED PRUFROCK by THOMAS STEARNS ELIOT INDIAN NAMES by LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY BALLADE OF EGREGIOUSNESS by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS FROM AN EXCAVATION ON THE WARRIOR RIVER by ESTHER BARRETT ARGO WALKING HOME AT NIGHT; HUSBAND TO WIFE by WILLIAM BARNES |