Life and Phantasy by William Allingham: With frontispiece by Sir John E. Millais: A design by Arthur H. Hughes and a song for voice and piano forte |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | Life and Phantasy |  |
142
GRAPES, WINE, AND VINEGAR.
Weary and wasted, nigh worn-out,
You sigh, and shake white hairs, and say
“Ah, you will learn the truth one day
Of Life and Nature, do not doubt!”
You sigh, and shake white hairs, and say
“Ah, you will learn the truth one day
Of Life and Nature, do not doubt!”
Age rhymes to sage, and let us give
The hoary head its honours due:
Grant Youth its privileges too,
And notions how to think and live.
The hoary head its honours due:
Grant Youth its privileges too,
And notions how to think and live.
Which has more chance to see aright
The many-colour'd shows of time,
Fresh human eyes in healthy prime
Or custom-dull'd and fading sight?
The many-colour'd shows of time,
Fresh human eyes in healthy prime
Or custom-dull'd and fading sight?
Gone from the primrose and the rose
Their diversely delicious breath,
Since no fine wafting visiteth
An old, perhaps a snuffy, nose!
Their diversely delicious breath,
Since no fine wafting visiteth
An old, perhaps a snuffy, nose!
Youth has its truth: I'd rather trust,
Of two extremes, the ardent boy,
Excess of life and hope and joy,
Than this dejection and disgust.
Of two extremes, the ardent boy,
Excess of life and hope and joy,
Than this dejection and disgust.
Vinegar of Experience—“drink!”
Why so, and set our teeth on edge?
Nay, even grant what you allege,
We'll not anticipate, I think.
Why so, and set our teeth on edge?
Nay, even grant what you allege,
We'll not anticipate, I think.
Who miss'd, or loses, earlier truth,
Tho' old, we shall not count him sage:
Rich the strong mellow'd Wine of Age
From sunshine-ripen'd Grapes of Youth.
Tho' old, we shall not count him sage:
Rich the strong mellow'd Wine of Age
From sunshine-ripen'd Grapes of Youth.
| Life and Phantasy | |