Before the beginning of years There came to the making of man Time with a gift of tears, Grief with a glass that ran, Pleasure with pain for leaven, Summer with flowers that fell, Remembrance fallen from heaven, And Madness risen from hell, Strength without hands to smite, Love that endures for a breath; Night, the shadow of light, And Life, the shadow of death.

I remember the way we parted, The day and the way we met; You hoped we were both broken-hearted And knew we should both forget.

Change lays not her hand upon truth.

Marvellous mercies and infinite love.

Heart's ease of pansy, pleasure or thought, Which would the picture give us of these? Surely the heart that conceived it sought Heart's ease.

The delight that consumes the desire, The desire that outruns the delight.

The beast faith lives on its own dung.