Late Lyrics and Earlier: A Young Man's Exhortation

A Young Man's Exhortation

   Call off your eyes from care
By some determined deftness; put forth joys
Dear as excess without the core that cloys,
   And charm Life's lourings fair.
   Exalt and crown the hour
That girdles us, and fill it full with glee,
Blind glee, excelling aught could ever be
   Were heedfulness in power.
   Send up such touching strains
That limitless recruits from Fancy's pack
Shall rush upon your tongue, and tender back
   All that your soul contains.
   For what do we know best?
That a fresh love-leaf crumpled soon will dry,
And that men moment after moment die,
   Of all scope dispossest.
   If I have seen one thing
It is the passing preciousness of dreams;
That aspects are within us; and who seems
   Most kingly is the King.

1867: WESTBOURNE PARK VILLAS.

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