Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE WANDERER: 3. IN ENGLAND: 'CARPE DIEM', by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON


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THE WANDERER: 3. IN ENGLAND: 'CARPE DIEM', by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: To-morrow is a day too far
Last Line: Foresee the men we may be.
Alternate Author Name(s): Meredith, Owen; Lytton, 1st Earl Of; Lytton, Robert
Subject(s): Carpe Diem; England; Travel; English; Journeys; Trips


TO-MORROW is a day too far
To trust, whate'er the day be.
We know, a little, what we are,
But who knows what he may be?

The oak that on the mountain grows
A goodly ship may be,
Next year; but it is as well (who knows?)
May be a gallows-tree.

'Tis God made man, no doubt, -- not Chance:
He made us, great and small;
But, being made, 't is Circumstance
That finishes us all.

The Author of this world's great plan
The same results will draw
From human life, however man
May keep, or break, His law.

The Artist to his Art doth look;
And Art's great laws exact
That those portrayed in Nature's Book,
Should freely move and act.

The moral of the work unchanged
Endures eternally,
Howe'er by human wills arranged
The work's details may be.

"Give us this day our daily bread,
The morrow shall take heed
Unto itself." The Master said
No more. No more we need.

To-morrow cannot make or mar
To-day, whate'er the day be:
Nor can the men which now we are
Foresee the men we may be.





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