LIKE to a star, or to a fire, Which ever brighter grown, or higher, Doth shine forth fixed, or doth aspire; Or to a glance, or to a sigh; Or to a low wind whispering by, Which scarce has risen ere it die; Or to a bird, whose rapid flight Eludes the dazed observer's sight, Or a stray shaft of glancing light, That for an instant breaks the gloom Which wraps some dark, forgotten tomb, Or some sweet Spring-flower's fleeting bloom; -- Mixed part of reason, part belief, Of pain and pleasure, joy and grief, As changeful as the Spring, and brief; -- A wave, a shadow, a breath, a strife, With change on change for ever rife! -- This is the thing we know as life. |