The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay With Illustrations by John Gilbert |
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| I. |
| II. |
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| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
ALAS, POOR THINGS! |
 | The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay |  |
ALAS, POOR THINGS!
I
Although the May-blooms witherEre June 's a fortnight old,
And green leaves turn to yellow
When nights grow long and cold;
Though beauty bright, our heart's delight,
Scarce lasts a dozen springs,
Leaf, flower, and maid, are born to fade:—
Alas, poor things!
II
And guineas too, that FortuneStrews round his path who strives,
Fly off ere we can count them,
Or stay to plague our lives;
But let them go like melting snow,
Or sweets that summer flings!
They give us cheer while they are here:
Alas, poor things!
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III
But still, though loves desert us,Or pleasures die away,
We'll prize them while we hold them,
Nor weep when they decay.
No grief of ours can save the flowers,
Or clip Enjoyment's wings;
Then why deplore? we'll sigh no more:
Alas, poor things!
| The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay | |