Classic Poem

Since Youth is all for gladness,
And dreams and rainbow-skies,
For rapture and moon-madness,
Why are Youth's eyes so wise?

Since Youth is all for vaunting
Adventures, scorning fears—
Is there not something haunting
In Youth's incongruous tears?

O Youth must bleed and measure
The days and span the sea—
But Age will keep for pleasure
What Youth thought misery.