MEN tell us love is only vain, A fleeting shade, an empty cheat, Though down from Eden's bowers, 'tis plain, The world has chased that fond deceit. Some nobler hope, these graybeards name, As worthiest of the manly heart, The ruddy gold,—the sounded fame,— The glow of thought, and wreath of Art. Methinks, the sage may con his theme, Till nature's flickering flame expire,— Life were, indeed, a worthless dream, If only these could wake its fire! But Love, still sovereign as of old, Makes them his slaves obedient move, And Fame and Art and sullen Gold, And conquering Genius bend to Love. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LOVER PLEADS WITH HIS FRIENDS FOR OLD FRIENDS by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS INVERSNAID by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS OLD BLACK MEN by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SABBATH MORNING by L. DALE AHERN LAURENCE BLOOMFIELD IN IRELAND: 3. ISAAC BROWN by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM STANZAS ON THE CONVERSION OF THE JEWS by BERNARD BARTON CLIO, NINE ECLOGUES IN HONOUR OF NINE VIRTUES: 5. OF TEMPERANCE by WILLIAM BASSE |