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Poem by Eleanor Farjeon


Sonnets. 4. Wilt thou put seals on love because men say


Wilt thou put seals on love because men say
Love is a thing that certain time will steal?
As well, since night is certain after day,
Might men their eyelids to the noontide seal.
Nay! even though that worn-out tale were truth,
And love, dear love, were time’s assurèd dower,
What profit canst thou get of cheated youth
By paying usury before his hour?

I will not hear the sorry tune of time,
That bitter quencher of young blessedness.
Not to have proved young rapture is the crime,
Unproven it will be quenched no less, no less.
And thou wilt to the earth at last, time’s scorn,
Relinquishing a crown thou hast not worn.



Eleanor Farjeon


Eleanor Farjeon's other poems:
  1. Myfanwy Among the Leaves
  2. Sonnets. 12. I hear love answer: Since within the mesh
  3. Sonnets. 15. Farewell, you children that I might have borne
  4. Sonnets. 17. My Little Dream, My Momentary Dream
  5. Sonnets. 2. O Spare Me from the Hand of Niggard Love


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