'PRINCES! -- and you, most valorous, Nobles and Barons of all degrees! Hearken awhile to the prayer of us, -- Beggars that come from the over-seas! Nothing we ask or of gold or fees; Harry us not with the hounds we pray; Lo, -- for the surcote's hem we seize, -- Give us -- ah! give us -- but Yesterday!' 'Dames most delicate, amorous! Damosels blithe as the belted bees! Hearken awhile to the prayer of us, -- Beggars that come from the over-seas! Nothing we ask of the things that please; Weary are we, and worn, and gray; Lo, -- for we clutch and we clasp your knees, -- Give us -- ah! give us -- but Yesterday!' 'Damosels -- Dames, be piteous!' (But the dames rode fast by the roadway trees.) 'Hear us, O Knights magnanimous!' (But the knights pricked on in their panoplies.) Nothing they gat or of hope or ease, But only to beat on the breast and say: -- 'Life we drank to the dregs and lees; Give us -- ah! give us -- but Yesterday!' ENVOY. YOUTH, take heed to the prayer of these! Many there be by the dusty way, -- Many that cry to the rocks and seas 'Give us -- ah! give us -- but Yesterday! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DITTY IN IMITATION OF THE SPANISH: ENTRE TANTO QUE L'AVRIL by EDWARD HERBERT TO THE UNKNOWN EROS: BOOK 2: 7. TO THE BODY by COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON PATMORE HALVING IT WITH WITHER by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS COMEDY by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE UNFORGIVEN by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |