EVER since the time when I was a lusty boy Down till now when I am ill and old, The things I have cared for have been different at different times, But my being @3busy,@1 @3that@1 has never changed. @3Then@1 on the shore, -- building sand-pagodas; @3Now@1, at Court, covered with tinkling jade. This and that, -- equally childish games, Things whose substance passes in a moment of time! While the hands are busy, the heart cannot understand; When there are no Scriptures, then Doctrine is sound. Even should one zealously strive to learn the Way, That very striving will make one's error more. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WATER FOWL by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 4. THE TIMOROUS ADVENTURER by PHILIP AYRES FRAGMENTS INTENDED FOR DEATH'S JEST-BOOK: A NIGHT-SCENE by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES A SUNRISE IN MARCH by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN NEW YEAR'S EVE, 1913 by GORDON BOTTOMLEY THE STORM by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH RAWDON BROWN by ROBERT BROWNING |