Thy beauty fades and with it too my love, <br />For 'twas the self-same stalk that bore its flower; <br />Soft fell the rain, and breaking from above <br />The sun looked out upon our nuptial hour; <br />And I had thought forever by thy side <br />With bursting buds of hope in youth to dwell, <br />But one by one Time strewed thy petals wide, <br />And every hope's wan look a grief can tell: <br />For I had thoughtless lived beneath his sway, <br />Who like a tyrant dealeth with us all, <br />Crowning each rose, though rooted on decay, <br />With charms that shall the spirit's love enthral, <br />And for a season turn the soul's pure eyes <br />From virtue's changeless bloom that time and death defies.<br /><br />Jones Very<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/thy-beauty-fades/
