TIME steals from Love all but Love's wings;
And how should aught but evil things, Or any good but death, befall Him that is thrall unto Time's thrall, Slave to the lesser of these Kings?
O heart of youth that wakes and sings!
O golden vows and golden rings!
Life mocks you with the tale of all Time steals from Love!
O riven lute and writhen strings, Dead bough whereto no blossom clings, The glory was ephemeral!
Nor may our Autumn grief recall The passion of the perished Springs Time steals from Love!
