Classic Poem

Reverse thy prayer, dear Friend, — no longer pray
That Time, who steals my outward youth away,
Should leave my heart still young, for in good sooth,
This heart, though sad, has all too much of youth —
I fain would find some marked mutations there
To match the altered eyes and cheeks and hair.
The toys of childhood gladly are resigned,
Outgrown the childish form and childish mind:
But oh! the toys, the gauds of life's sweet prime
We scarce can yield to that base plund'rer Time.
Snowdrops and daffodils may pass away,
Violet and harebell, sweeter far than they,
Will soon be here, with blossoms of the May:
And promises " moon-lighted all day long"
When Summer comes, with her sun-radiant throng,
May die forsaken — but June's glowing roses,
We ill can hear that they should " have their closes",
And mutely weep, 'mid Autumn's mellow store,
Because the soft flow'r-meteors shine no more.
Love is the fairest toy that earth can give —
Bright play-thing — yet the bread whereon we live!
And many a hand essays that toy to hold
With grasp, too youthful eager, yet too old.
Thine eyes, Philario, once could love inspire,
But Time's sure hand has stol'n their potent fire:
Then seek no more with stealthy desp'rate aim
To seize Love's quiver and secure his flame,
Lest, foiled and wounded, thou should'st sigh to find,
That Love is ever wakeful and not blind.