ON RECEIVING A PRESENT OF ROSES
Roses to one so old and grey,
So worn with toil and thought and time!
Surely the gift has gone astray,
For 'tis with youth that roses rhyme;
I'm no Anacreon in sooth
That can time's ravages defy;
Too well I know the time of youth,
Of mirth and roses has gone by!
So worn with toil and thought and time!
Surely the gift has gone astray,
For 'tis with youth that roses rhyme;
I'm no Anacreon in sooth
That can time's ravages defy;
Too well I know the time of youth,
Of mirth and roses has gone by!
Yet no! a gift like this brings back
Some portion of the olden fire,
And, heedless of the almanac,
Lost hopes again my soul inspire:
Time, do thy worst! thou shalt not break
My spirit with thy heavy hand
Till gifts like these no more can make
My heart with gratitude expand.
Some portion of the olden fire,
And, heedless of the almanac,
Lost hopes again my soul inspire:
Time, do thy worst! thou shalt not break
My spirit with thy heavy hand
Till gifts like these no more can make
My heart with gratitude expand.
1899