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FLYING WHEEL, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: When I was young the days were long
Alternate Author Name(s): Hinkson, Katharine Tynan
Subject(s): Old Age; Religion


WHEN I was young the days were long,
When I was young the days were long,
Oh, long the days when I was young:
Oh, long the days when I was young:
So long from morn to evenfall
So long from morn to evenfall
As they would never end at all.
As they would never end at all.

Now I grow old Time flies, alas!

I watch the years and seasons pass.
Now I grow old Time flies , alas!
Time turns him with his fingers thin
I watch the years and seasons pass.
A wheel that whirls while it doth spin.
Time turns him with his fingers thin
There is no time to take one's ease,
A wheel that whirls while it doth spin.
For to sit still and be at peace:
Oh, whirling wheel of Time, be still,

Let me be quiet if you will!

There is no time to take one's ease,
Yet still it turns so giddily,
For to sit still and be at peace:
So fast the years and seasons fly,
So fast the wheel of Time turns ' round ,
Dazed with the noise and speed I run
The silence hath no other sound.
And stay me on the Changeless One.
I stay myself on Him who stays

Ever the same through nights and days:

The One Unchangeable for aye,
And that which is to be is over,
Over good times of love and lover:
That was and will be: the one Stay,
O'er whom Eternity will pass
And one was young but now grown old
Shrinks from the darkness and the cold .
But as an image in a glass;
To whom a million years are nought,-

I stay myself on a great Thought.

And one scarce dreams that youth is o'er
I stay myself on the great Quiet
After the noises and the riot;
Ere age is knocking at the door.
Oh, whirling wheel of Time be still,
As in a garnished chamber sit
Far from the tumult of the street.
Let me be quiet if you will!

Oh, wheel of Time, turn round apace!

But I have found a resting-place.
Yet still it turns so giddily,
You will not trouble me again
In the great peace where I attain.
So fast the years and seasons fly,

Dazed with the noise and speed I run
And stay me on the Changeless One.



I stay myself on him who stays
Ever the same through nights and days:
The One Unchangeable for aye,
That was and will be: the one Stay,


O'er whom Eternity will pass;
But, as an image in a glass
To whom a million years are nought,
I stay myself on a great thought.


I stay myself on the great Quiet
After the noises and the riot.
As in a garnished chamber sit
Far from the tumult of the street.


Oh, wheel of Time turn round apace!
But I have found a resting- place .
You will not trouble me again
In the great peace where I attain.






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