Verse

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,
   Brief 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.