Lord Lytton

We are what we must
And not what we would be. I know that one hour
Assures read more

We are what we must
And not what we would be. I know that one hour
Assures not another. The will and the power
Are diverse.

They only fall, that strive to move,
Or lose, that care to keep.

They only fall, that strive to move,
Or lose, that care to keep.

There is purpose in pain,
Otherwise it were devilish.

There is purpose in pain,
Otherwise it were devilish.

The sylphs and ondines
And the sea-kings and queens
Long ago, long ago, on the waves built read more

The sylphs and ondines
And the sea-kings and queens
Long ago, long ago, on the waves built a city,
As lovely as seems
To some bard in his dreams,
The soul of his latest love-ditty.

Meanwhile, there is dancing in yonder green bower,
A swarm of young midges, they dance high and low;
read more

Meanwhile, there is dancing in yonder green bower,
A swarm of young midges, they dance high and low;
'Tis a sweet little species that lives but one hour,
And the eldest was born half an hour ago.