Page:The open Polar Sea- a narrative of a voyage of discovery towards the North pole, in the schooner "United States" (IA openpolarseanarr1867haye).pdf/348

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the future, for we willingly forget the present in the anticipations,—in the delights to come from the contests and struggles ahead; and it is well that this is so; for that which we spend most time in getting is often not worth the having. The Preacher tells us that "All is vanity;" and what says the Poet?—

"pleasures are like poppies spread; You seize the flower—its bloom is shed; Or like the snow-fall in the river— A moment white, then melts forever; Or like the borealis race, That flits ere you can point the place."