Not solely that the Future she destroys, <br />And the fair life which in the distance lies <br />For all men, beckoning out from dim rich skies: <br />Nor that the passing hour's supporting joys <br />Have lost the keen-edged flavour, which begat <br />Distinction in old times, and still should breed <br />Sweet Memory, and Hope,--earth's modest seed, <br />And heaven's high-prompting: not that the world is flat <br />Since that soft-luring creature I embraced, <br />Among the children of Illusion went: <br />Methinks with all this loss I were content, <br />If the mad Past, on which my foot is based, <br />Were firm, or might be blotted: but the whole <br />Of life is mixed: the mocking Past will stay: <br />And if I drink oblivion of a day, <br />So shorten I the stature of my soul.<br /><br />George Meredith<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/modern-love-xii-not-solely-that-the-future/
