In the Seven Woods/The Folly of being Comforted

2924664In the Seven Woods — The Folly of being ComfortedWilliam Butler Yeats

THE FOLLY OF BEING COMFORTED

One that is ever kind said yesterday:
'Your well beloved's hair has threads of grey
And little shadows come about her eyes;
Time can but make it easier to be wise
Though now it's hard, till trouble is at an end;
And so be patient, be wise and patient friend'.
But heart, there is no comfort, not a grain
Time can but make her beauty over again
Because of that great nobleness of hers;
The fire that stirs about her, when she stirs
Burns but more clearly; O she had not these ways,
When all the wild summer was in her gaze.
O heart O heart if she'd but turn her head,
You'd know the folly of being comforted.