Monday, October 16, 2017

Two Sonnets On Time

I looked upon my life to judge its worth,
Good deeds and bad; its joys with all its woe,
From edge of existence to day of birth,
Thus weighed in balance, I, of all I know.
But vanity of vanities, alas!
The gavel strikes and shadow downward bends.
"What profit" cried I, "O'er this life shall pass,
"When all thy days are gone and soul descends?
"Thy son or servant, wisdom may not keep,
To grow or guard what labors' increase shows,
And thy poor soul cannot awake from sleep,
To chide or buffet backs with whips and blows."
          Thy labors thou must now enjoy and love,
          As gifts in season, given thee by Jove.

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A time is there to bless or curse tis said,
A time to laugh and cry; to sow and reap,
A time to work and rest upon thy bed,
A time to give; another time to keep.
The times will change but time will stay the same,
For time is there to stop and time to go,
And time will mend or break a good man's name,
For time will cover up and time will show.
O time! Thus strumpeted by all and naught,
What time have thou to give or take to thee?
Of all the times tis time is time's own thought;
For time is there for time to timely be.
          I took of time some time a time to show,
          That most of time, in time, one cannot know.

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