Time’s an hand’s-breadth; ’tis a tale;
‘Tis a vessel under sail;
‘Tis an eagle in its way,
Darting down upon its prey;
‘Tis an arrow in its flight,
Mocking the pursuing sight;
‘Tis a short-lived fading flower;
‘Tis a rainbow on a shower;
‘Tis a momentary ray,
Smiling in a winter’s day;
‘Tis a torrent’s rapid stream;
‘Tis a shadow; ’tis a dream;
‘Tis the closing watch of night,
Dying at the rising light;
‘Tis a bubble; ’tis a sigh;
Be prepared, O! man, to die.
(Francis Quarles)
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Based on Topics: Man Poems, Night Poems, Light Poems, Time Poems, Death & Dying Poems, Sense & Perception Poems, Dreams Poems, Flowers Poems, Smiling Poems, Winter PoemsBased on Keywords: short-lived, s-breadth