No Rival Like the Past

As those who eat a Luscious Fruit, sunbaked,

Full of sweet juice, with zest, until they find

It finished, and their appetite unslaked,

And so return and eat the pared-off rind;—

We, who in Youth, set white and careless teeth

In the Ripe Fruits of Pleasure while they last,

Later, creep back to gnaw the cast-off sheath,

And find there is no Rival like the Past.