I. <br />The flower that smiles to-day <br />To-morrow dies; <br />All that we wish to stay <br />Tempts and then flies. <br />What is this world’s delight? <br />Lightning that mocks the night, <br />Brief even as bright. <br /> <br />II. <br />Virtue, how frail it is! <br />Friendship how rare! <br />Love, how it sells poor bliss <br />For proud despair! <br />But we, though soon they fall, <br />Survive their joy, and all <br />Which ours we call. <br /> <br />III. <br />Whilst skies are blue and bright, <br />Whilst flowers are gay, <br />Whilst eyes that change ere night <br />Make glad the day; <br />Whilst yet the calm hours creep, <br />Dream thou—and from thy sleep <br />Then wake to weep.<br /><br />Percy Bysshe Shelley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/mutability-ii/
