TO his devoted heart Who, young, had loved his ageing mate for life, In late lone years Time gave the elder's part, Time gave the bridegroom's boast, Time gave a younger wife. A wilder prank and plot Time soon will promise, threaten, offering me Impossible things that Nature suffers not -- A daughter's riper mind, a child's seniority. Oh, by my filial tears Mourned all too young, Father! On this my head Time yet will force at last the longer years, Claiming some strange respect for me from you, the dead. Nay, nay! Too new to know Time's conjuring is, too great to understand. Memory has not died; it leaves me so -- Leaning a fading brow on your unfaded hand. |