How many a budding plant is born to fade! How many a May bloom wilt with quick decay! Ofttimes the ruddiest rose holds briefest sway, While heart and sense are evermore betrayed Alike in nature's shine and nature's shade. Vainly earth-tendered seeds have sought the day, And countless threads of rivulets wind astray, For one that joins the vast main unembayed. O prodigal nature, why this spendthrift waste Of light, strength, beauty given to earth or man? Thy richest realm may lie in trackless seas, Thy tenderest loves, perchance, die unembraced; While faith and reason watch thy 'wildering plan, The baffled soul's cloud-compassed Hyades! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A PSALM OF TRAVEL by GEORGE SANTAYANA BALLAD OF THE GIBBET by FRANCOIS VILLON SONG OF THE ANGELS AT THE NATIVITY by NAHUM TATE SONG OF THE OPEN ROAD by WALT WHITMAN ODES: BOOK 2: ODE 3. TO THE CUCKOO by MARK AKENSIDE DAWN ON THE HILLS (FROM A HOTEL WINDOW) by LILLIAN ATCHERSON |