Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO MY DEAR SISTER, MRS. S.: MAN'S LIFE, by WILLIAM HAMMOND


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO MY DEAR SISTER, MRS. S.: MAN'S LIFE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Man's life was once a span; now one of those
Last Line: Since through a double mean nought right appears.
Subject(s): Mortality; Mourning; Bereavement


MAN'S life was once a span; now one of those
Atoms of which old Sophies did compose
The world; a thing so small, no emptiness
Nature can find at all by his decease;
Nor need she to attenuate the air,
And spreading it, his vacancy repair;
The swellings that in hearts and eyes arise,
Repay with ample bulk death's robberies.
Why should we then weep for a thing so slight,
Converting life's short day to a long night?
For sorrows make one month seem many years:
Time's multiplying glass is made of tears.
Our life is but a painted perspective;
Grief the false light, that doth the distance give;
Nor doth it with delight (as shadowing)
Set off, but, as a staff fixt in a spring,
Seem crookt and larger; then dry up thy tears,
Since through a double mean nought right appears.





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