The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay With Illustrations by John Gilbert |
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| II. |
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| X. |
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| XII. |
THE RIVER OF TIME. |
 | The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay |  |
177
THE RIVER OF TIME.
I
A youth full of hope, and a man in his prime,Sat down by the shore of the river of Time:
The youth, with a sigh, cast a flower on its breast,
And watch'd the sweet blossom float down to the West,
Then roam'd by the river, impatient of rest.
“And haste,” he cried, “thou tardy stream,
“And bring the promised joy;
“I'm weary waiting on the brink;—
“Oh, who would be a boy!
II
“I long to behold the delights of the world,“The swift-sailing ships, with their banners unfurl'd;
“To join the glad songs of the hopeful and free,
“As onward in triumph they sweep to the sea.
“Flow swiftly, O river, and waft them to me.”
And still he cried, “O tardy stream!
“Be fleet as thou art clear;
“I'm weary, weary gath'ring flowers,—
“I may not linger here.”
III
But the man, with a smile, turn'd his gaze to the sky,And then to the river, slow murmuring by;
The odour of lilies around him was shed,
The birds sang their songs 'mid the boughs overhead;
And though he was happy, he sigh'd, as he said,—
178
“Why hasten to the sea?
“Thy waves are fair, thy banks are green;
“Oh, tarry awhile with me!”
| The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay | |