Flowers of Sion: Sonnet 3 - Look how the flower

by William Drummond

William Drummond

Look how the flower which ling'ringly doth fade,
The morning's darling late, the summer's queen,
Spoiled of that juice which kept it fresh and green,
As high as it did raise, bows low the head;
Right so my life (contentments being dead,
Or in their contraries but only seen)
With swifter speed declines than erst it spread,
And, blasted, scarce now shows what it hath been.
As doth the pilgrim, therefore, whom the night
By darkness would imprison on his way,
Think on thy home, my soul, and think aright,
Of what yet rests thee on life's wasting day.
Thy sun posts westward, passed is thy morn,
And twice it is not given thee to be born.





Last updated January 14, 2019