Poem by John Dryden

Life a Cheat

When I consider life, 'tis all a cheat;
Yet, fooled with hope, men favour the deceit;
Trust on, and think to-morrow will repay:
To-morrow's falser than the former day;
Lies worse; and while it says, we shall be blessed
With some new joys, cuts off what we possessed.
Strange cozenage! none would live past years again,
Yet all hope pleasure in what yet remain;
And, from the dregs of life, think to receive
What the first sprightly running could not give.
I'm tired with waiting for this chemic gold,
Which fools us young, and beggars us when old. 

1. Upon Young Mr. Rogers, of Gloucestershire
2. A Song (High State and Honours to others impart)
3. Te Deum
4. You Charm'd Me Not With That Fair Face
5. To the Lady Castlemaine, upon Her incouraging his first Play

Print

2029 Views

Last Poems

To Russian version