Poems of Passion/Time and Love

Time flies. The swift hours hurry by       And speed us on to untried ways; New seasons ripen, perish, die, And yet love stays. The old, old love—like sweet, at first, At last like bitter wine— I know not if it blest or curst Thy life and mine.

Time flies. In vain our prayers, our tears! We cannot tempt him to delays; Down to the past he bears the years, And yet love stays. Through changing task and varying dream We hear the same refrain, As one can hear a plaintive theme Run through each strain.

Time flies. He steals our pulsing youth; He robs us of our care-free days; He takes away our trust and truth: And yet love stays. O Time! take love! When love is vain, When all its best joys die— When only its regrets remain— Let love, too, fly.