Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SIC VITA by HENRY KING (1592-1669)

Poet Analysis

First Line: LIKE TO THE FALLING OF A STAR
Last Line: THE FLIGHT IS PAST, -- AND MAN FORGOT!
Subject(s): DEATH; LIFE; MANKIND; MORTALITY; TRANSIENCE; DEAD, THE; HUMAN RACE; IMPERMANENCE;

Like to the falling of a star,
Or as the flights of eagles are,
Or like the fresh spring's gaudy hue,
Of silver drops of morning dew,
Or like a wind that chafes the flood,
Or bubbles which on water stood, --
E'en such is man, whose borrowed light
Is straight called in, and paid to-night.
The wind blows out, the bubble dies,
The spring entombed in autumn lies,
The dew dries up, the star is shot,
The flight is past, -- and man forgot!



Home: PoetryExplorer.net