Stones from The Quarry | ||
LIFE UNSTABLE.
The simple souls, and those who overwiseIn the world's ways—its foxes—hold them themes
For scoff and spoil; while oft (as meet extremes)
Their folly keeps word to the ear, but lies
To the mocked hope; to-morrow think will rise
As yesterday: and fooled by waking dreams—
Worst dreamers—caught in toils of their own schemes,
See not a Nemesis in Fortune's guise!
As men at sea, who, marking but the waves
And skies, think all is going as before,
While Death ahead prepares them sudden graves,
Or Fortune waits (misfortune!) on strange shore.
So in her dicebox shaken fools and knaves,
Turned upside down, she reckons in one score.
Stones from The Quarry | ||