If Life gives friends, 'Tis Death that keeps them true; When living long Time proves them false and few; So Life's a boon When Death is coming soon. Life has no joy Except we cherish some Illusive dream: If Wisdom come, Life were no boon -- Did Death not come more soon. I loved a maid Time has proved false to be; Would Death had come When true that maid to me! Life were a boon Had Death been coming soon. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FLOWER-GATHERING by ROBERT FROST A SHORT SONG OF CONGRATULATION by SAMUEL JOHNSON (1709-1784) MESSMATES by HENRY JOHN NEWBOLT THE WIND by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON PARRHASIUS by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS THE TAPESTRY WEAVERS by ANSON G. CHESTER SEA-WAY by ELLEN MACKAY HUTCHINSON CORTISSOZ OFFICE OF THE HOLY CROSSE; 2ND VERSION: INTRODUCTION by RICHARD CRASHAW |