"GIVE me a motto!" said a youth To one whom years had rendered wise; "Some pleasant thought, or weighty truth, That briefest syllables comprise; Some word of warning or of cheer To grave upon my signet here. "And, reverend father," said the boy, "Since life, they say, is ever made A mingled web of grief and joy, Since cares may come and pleasures fade, -- Pray, let the motto have a range Of meaning matching every change." "Sooth!" said the sire, "methinks you ask A labor something over-nice, That well a finer brain might task. What think you, lad, of this device (Older than I, though I am gray), 'T is simple, -- 'This will pass away'? "When wafted on by Fortune's breeze, In endless peace thou seem'st to glide, Prepare betimes for rougher seas, And check the boast of foolish pride; Though smiling joy is thine to-day, Remember, 'This will pass away!' "When all the sky is draped in black, And, beaten by tempestuous gales, Thy shuddering ship seems all awrack, Then trim again thy tattered sails; To grim Despair be not a prey; Bethink thee, 'This will pass away!' "Thus, O my son, be not o'er-proud, Nor yet cast down; judge thou aright; When skies are clear, expect the cloud; In darkness, wait the coming light; Whatever be thy fate to-day, Remember, 'This will pass away!'" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ALNWICK CASTLE by FITZ-GREENE HALLECK WILD SWANS by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY A WOMAN'S QUESTION by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER SONG FOR ALL SEAS, ALL SHIPS by WALT WHITMAN SONNET by THEODORE AGRIPPA D' AUBIGNE |