Brief Even As Bright

The flower that smiles today

Tomorrow dies

All that we wished to stay

Temps and then flies

What is the worlds delight?

Lightning that mocks the night

Brief even as bright

Virtue how frail it is

Friendship too rare

Love, how it sells poor bliss

For proud despair

But we, though soon they fall

Survive the joy and all

Which ours we call

What is the worlds delight?

Lightning that mocks the night

Brief even as bright

Whilst yet the calm hours creep

Dream thou and from thy sleep

Than wake to weep