THE days of a man are threescore years and ten. The days of his life were half a man's, whom we Lament, and would yet not bid him back, to be Partaker of all the woes and ways of men. Life sent him enough of sorrow: not again Would anguish of love, beholding him set free, Bring back the beloved to suffer life and see No light but the fire of grief that scathed him then. We know not at all: we hope, and do not fear. We shall not again behold him, late so near, Who now from afar above, with eyes alight And spirit enkindled, haply toward us here Looks down unforgetful yet of days like night And love that has yet his sightless face in sight. February 15, 1887. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BIRTHDAY by LOUIS UNTERMEYER FOURTH BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 18 by THOMAS CAMPION TO DAISIES, NOT TO SHUT TOO SOON by ROBERT HERRICK ON THE UNIVERSITY CARRIER by JOHN MILTON AGAMEMNON: THE BEACONS by AESCHYLUS BILL'S LENGTH by ALEXANDER ANDERSON ON THE RHINE by MATTHEW ARNOLD CALMNESS OF THE SUBLIME by PHILIP JAMES BAILEY BLOUDIE JACKE OF SHREWSBERRIE; THE SHROPSHIRE BLUEBEARD by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM |