TIME
With Chaos for cradle and Darkness for dress
And with Light for thy fostering nurse,
Thou did'st grow, for awhile, in companionlessness—
All untouched of man's blessing or curse;
Then, for thee the Creator appointed a work,
And as coachman of Life, thee became,
And, whoever may idle, thou never cans't shirk
The long service which gave thee thy name!
And with Light for thy fostering nurse,
Thou did'st grow, for awhile, in companionlessness—
All untouched of man's blessing or curse;
Then, for thee the Creator appointed a work,
And as coachman of Life, thee became,
And, whoever may idle, thou never cans't shirk
The long service which gave thee thy name!
Thy name—did I say, ah, by three art thou known:—
As the "Past" e'er to fond Memory,
And to "Hope"—who is taller than thou hast yet grown—
As fair "Future" thou ever shalt be!
But to Love—yea, and Love 1s the wisest of all
In her choice of a name to endow,
For, no matter how loudly the others may call,
Thou wilt answer to nothing but "Now!"
As the "Past" e'er to fond Memory,
And to "Hope"—who is taller than thou hast yet grown—
As fair "Future" thou ever shalt be!
But to Love—yea, and Love 1s the wisest of all
In her choice of a name to endow,
For, no matter how loudly the others may call,
Thou wilt answer to nothing but "Now!"
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