The Poetical Works of William Drummond of Hawthornden With "A Cypresse Grove": Edited by L. E. Kastner |
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 | The Poetical Works of William Drummond of Hawthornden |  |
82
Sonnet.
[A passing Glance, a Lightning long the Skies]
A passing Glance, a Lightning long the SkiesThat vsh'ring Thunder dies straight to our Sight,
A Sparke, of Contraries which doth arise,
Then drownes in the huge Depthes of Day and Night:
Is this small-Small call'd Life, held in such Price
Of blinded Wights, who nothing judge aright,
Of Parthian Shaft so swift is not the Flight
As Life, that wastes it selfe, and liuing dies.
O! what is humane Greatnesse, Valour, Wit?
What fading Beautie, Riches, Honour, Praise?
To what doth serue in golden Thrones to sit,
Thrall Earths vaste Round, triumphall Arches raise?
All is a Dreame, learne in this Princes Fall,
In whome (saue Death) nought mortall was at all.
| The Poetical Works of William Drummond of Hawthornden | |