The Poetical Works of George Barlow In Ten [Eleven] Volumes |
 | I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
 | VII. |
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. | XXIII. LIFE'S LAST GIFT
|
|
|
|
|
|
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
 | The Poetical Works of George Barlow |  |
55
XXIII. LIFE'S LAST GIFT
A thousand gifts life brings us,
And some are passing fair:
What perfect flowers it flings us
When June's breath scents the air!
Yes, Life begins with pleasure:
The year begins with glee;
With golden blossom-treasure
And stormless azure sea.
And some are passing fair:
What perfect flowers it flings us
When June's breath scents the air!
Yes, Life begins with pleasure:
The year begins with glee;
With golden blossom-treasure
And stormless azure sea.
Then how the prospect darkens:—
Hearts fail us, and betray;
Death glides amid our loved ones,—
Steals one by one away:
Life, which began in glory,
Grows sombre towards its close,
For old age chills our pleasures
As autumn chills the rose.
Hearts fail us, and betray;
Death glides amid our loved ones,—
Steals one by one away:
Life, which began in glory,
Grows sombre towards its close,
For old age chills our pleasures
As autumn chills the rose.
56
But one thing life will bring us
In autumn days and cold:
October's lips can tell us
What August never told.
Life's latest gift is fairer
In that all past gifts cease;
Life's last gift is supremest,
For life's last gift is peace.
In autumn days and cold:
October's lips can tell us
What August never told.
Life's latest gift is fairer
In that all past gifts cease;
Life's last gift is supremest,
For life's last gift is peace.
| The Poetical Works of George Barlow | |