From the brake the Nightingale <br />Sings exulting to the Rose; <br />Though he sees her waxing pale <br />In her passionate repose, <br />While she triumphs waxing frail, <br />Fading even while she glows; <br />Though he knows <br />How it goes - <br />Knows of last year's Nightingale <br />Dead with last year's Rose. <br /> <br />Wise the enamoured Nightingale, <br />Wise the well-beloved Rose! <br />Love and life shall still prevail, <br />Nor the silence at the close <br />Break the magic of the tale <br />In the telling, though it shows - <br />Who but knows <br />How it goes! - <br />Life a last year's Nightingale, <br />Love a last year's Rose.<br /><br />William Ernest Henley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/from-the-break-the-nightingale/
