Walter Crane

British, 1845 - 1915

The Bridge of Life

Walter Crane wrote a sonnet to accompany his painting:

What is Life? A Bridge that ever
Bears a throng across a river;
There the Taker; here the Giver.

What is Life? In its beginning
From the Staff is Clotho spinning
Golden threads and worth the winning.

Life beginning and Life ending,
Life his substance ever spending,
Time to Life his little lending.

Life with Life, fate-woven ever,
Life the web, and Love the weaver
Atropos at last doth sever.

What is Life to Grief complaining?
Fortune, Fame, and Love disdaining
Hope, perchance, alone remaining.