TIME steals from Love all but Love's wings...

TIME steals from Love all but Love's wings;

And how should aught but evil things,

Or any good but death, befall

Him that is thrall unto Time's thrall,

Slave to the lesser of these Kings?

O heart of youth that wakes and sings!

O golden vows and golden rings!

Life mocks you with the tale of all

Time steals from Love!

O riven lute and writhen strings,

Dead bough whereto no blossom clings,

The glory was ephemeral!

Nor may our Autumn grief recall

The passion of the perished Springs

Time steals from Love!