Half of my life is gone, and I have let The years slip from me and have not fulfilled The aspiration of my youth, to build Some tower of song with lofty parapet. Not indolence, nor pleasure, nor the fret Of restless passions that would not be stilled, But sorrow, and a care that almost killed, Kept me from what I may accomplish yet; Though, half-way up the hill, I see the Past Lying beneath me with its sounds and sights, -- A city in the twilight dim and vast, With smoking roofs, soft bells, and gleaming lights, -- And hear above me on the autumnal blast The cataract of Death far thundering from the heights. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODE ON A DISTANT PROSPECT OF ETON COLLEGE by THOMAS GRAY A CHRISTMAS CAROL, SUNG TO THE KING IN THE PRESENCE AT WHITEHALL by ROBERT HERRICK SPRING AND FALL: TO A YOUNG CHILD by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS MONNA INNOMINATA, A SONNET OF SONNETS: 12 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI IAMBICUM TRIMETRUM, FR. LETTER TO HARVEY by EDMUND SPENSER FLORAL DECORATIONS FOR BANANAS by WALLACE STEVENS SCURVY ENTERTAINMENT by ABU ABD ALLAH |