Classic Poem

Time and the mortal will stand never fast;
Estranged fates man's confidence estrange;
Aye with new quality imbued, the vast
World seems but victual of voracious change.

New endless growth surrounds on every side,
Such as we deemed not earth could ever bear,
Only doth sorrow for past woe abide,
And sorrow for past good, if good it were.

Now Time with green hath made the meadows gay,
Late carpeted with snow by winter frore,
And to lament hath turned my gentle lay;
Yet of all change this chiefly I deplore,
The human lot, transformed to ill alway,
Not chequered with rare blessing as of yore.

Time and the mortal will stand never fast;
Estranged fates man's confidence estrange;
Aye with new quality imbued, the vast
World seems but victual of voracious change.
New endless growth surrounds on every side,
Such as we deemed not earth could ever bear,
Only doth sorrow for past woe abide,
And sorrow for past good, if good it were.

Now Time with green hath made the meadows gay,
Late carpeted with snow by winter frore,
And to lament hath turned my gentle lay;
Yet of all change this chiefly I deplore,
The human lot, transformed to ill alway,
Not chequered with rare blessing as of yore.