Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ON MAN'S LIFE, by SIMONIDES OF CEOS Poet's Biography First Line: No human thing in constancy will stay Last Line: This though's of worth, record it in thy heart. Alternate Author Name(s): Simonides Of Keos Subject(s): Life | ||||||||
No human thing in constancy will stay; The learned Chian us'd of old to say, Our life was frailer than the fading leaves; Which Man forgets, and scarce its flight perceives: He harbours idle fancies in his brain, Many which he from childhood did retain: And whilst his vigour lasts, he's still inclin'd To fill with trifles his unsettled mind; On Age or Death ne'er thinks, nor takes he care Health to preserve, or active limbs to spare. We to more serious things our minds should give; Youth hastes, and we have little time to live. To weigh this well, is a material part, This though's of worth, record it in thy heart. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PRIVILEGE OF BEING by ROBERT HASS SEAWATER STIFFENS CLOTH by JANE HIRSHFIELD SAYING YES TO LIVING by DAVID IGNATOW THE WORLD IS SO DIFFICULT TO GIVE UP by DAVID IGNATOW THE LAMENTATION OF DANAE by SIMONIDES OF CEOS |
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