'Why sit'st thou by that ruin'd hall, <br />Thou aged carle so stern and grey? <br />Dost thou its former pride recall, <br />Or ponder how it pass'd away?'- <br /> <br />'Know'st thou not me?' the Deep Voice cried; <br />'So long enjoy'd, so oft misused- <br />Alternate, in thy fickle pride, <br />Desired, neglected, and accused! <br /> <br />'Before my breath, like blazing flax, <br />Man and his marvels pass away! <br />And changing empires wane and wax, <br />Are founded, flourish, and decay, <br /> <br />'Redeem mine hours - the space is brief - <br />While in my glass the sand-grains shiver, <br />And measureless thy joy or grief, <br />When Time and thou shalt part for ever!'<br /><br />Sir Walter Scott<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/why-sit-st-thou-by-that-ruin-d-hall/
