OR take the black or take the white, Or take what gives you most delight; Take all the colours as you may-- But still I say That now, or else another day, Shall failure all your hopes requite. For me I say with certain truth, I formed great projects in my youth, Unfearingly. That I repent my fond mistake, And all atonement wish to make Unsparingly. Vain Hope! it is a little thing, Yet able mighty change to bring, For it can make the coward bold. The rash can make Whatever form his folly take, By wisdom's steady laws to hold. Now would I live in mirth and joy, Happy to be without alloy, And this the way. I ne'er will spend, or fear, or sorrow Upon the present or the morrow; But hap what may, With careless heart the chance receive-- Who weeps at morn may laugh at eve. So take the black or take the white, Or take what gives you most delight; Take all the colours as you may-- But still I say That now, or else another day, Shall failure all your hopes requite. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AFTER THE WINTER by CLAUDE MCKAY TO GOD AND IRELAND TRUE by ELLEN O'LEARY LOVE-LILY by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI THE VANISHERS by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER THE BLUE BIRD by LAWRENCE ALMA-TADEMA ETERNITY by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD A CURLEW'S CALL by JANE BARLOW |