(AT CHILLINGTON, THE SEAT OF T. GIFFARD, ESQ. 1790) OTHER stones the era tell When some feeble mortal fell; I stand here to date the birth Of these hardy sons of earth. Which shall longest brave the sky, Storm and frost--these Oaks or I? Pass an age or two away, I must moulder and decay; But the years that crumble me Shall invigorate the tree, Spread its branch, dilate its size, Lift its summit to the skies. Cherish honour, virtue, truth, So shalt thou prolong thy youth: Wanting these, however fast Man be fixed, and formed to last, He is lifeless even now, Stone at heart, and cannot grow, | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LISTENERS by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE TO THE NIGHTINGALE by ANNE FINCH THE WINDHOVER: TO CHRIST OUR LORD by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS THE WOLF AND THE DOG by JEAN DE LA FONTAINE THE RUINS OF CORINTH by ANTIPATER OF SIDON RACHEL by WILLIAM H. ARMSTRONG III |