Wouldst see blithe looks, fresh cheeks beguile
Age? wouldst see December smile?
Wouldst see nests of new roses grow
In a bed of reverend snow?
Warm thoughts, free spirits, flattering
Winter’s self into a spring?
In sum wouldst see a man that can
Live to be old, and still a man?
Whose latest and most leaden hours,
Fall with soft wings stuck with soft flowers;
And, when life’s sweet fable ends,
Soul and body part like friends;
No quarrels, murmurs, no delay –
A kiss, a sigh, and so away.
This rare one, reader, wouldst thou see?
Hark hither! – and thyself be he.
(Richard Crashaw)
More Poetry from Richard Crashaw:
Richard Crashaw Poems based on Topics: Soul, Smiling, Kiss, Man, Flowers, Snow, Mind, Friendship, Age, Spring- Music's Duel (Richard Crashaw Poems)
- Charitas Nimia; or, The Dear Bargain (Richard Crashaw Poems)
- An Epitaph upon Husband and Wife Who died and were buried together (Richard Crashaw Poems)
- On the Baptized Ethiopian (Richard Crashaw Poems)
- On the Prodigal (Richard Crashaw Poems)
- On the Miracle of the Multiplied Loaves (Richard Crashaw Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Man Poems, Mind Poems, Soul Poems, Friendship Poems, Flowers Poems, Smiling Poems, Spring Poems, Snow Poems, Age Poems, Kiss Poems- The Helot (Isabella Valancy Crawford Poems)
- The Believer's Soliloquy; Especially in Times of Desertion, Temptation, Affliction (Ralph Erskine Poems)
- The School-Boy (Oliver Wendell Holmes Poems)
- The School Of The Heart. Lesson The First (Henry Alford Poems)
- Medulla Poetarum Romanorum - VOL. II. (Philosophy - Place) (Henry Baker Poems)