Tuesday, May 8, 2012

The Flower that Smiles Today

The Flower that Smiles Today
by Percy Shelley

The flower that smiles today
    Tomorrow dies;
All that we wish to stay
    Tempts and then flies;
What is this world's delight?
Lightning, that mocks the night,
    Bright even as bright. -

Virtue, how frail it is! -
    Friendship, how rare! - 
Love, how it sells poor bliss
    For proud despair!
But these, though soon they fall,
Survive their joy, and all
    Which ours we call. -

Whilst skies are blue and bright,
    Whilst flowers are gay,
Whilst eyes that change ere night
    Make glad the day;
Whilst yet the calm hours creep,
Dream thou - and from thy sleep
    Then wake to weep

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