ArtMagick Illustrated Poetry Collection
Ernest Dowson
Vitae Summa Brevis Spem Nos Vetat Incohare Longam
Year written: 1896
From 'Verses', 1896. The title is taken from Horace's Odes.
They are not long, the weeping and the laughter,
Love and desire and hate;
I think they have no portion in us after
We pass the gate.
They are not long, the days of wine and roses:
Out of a misty dream
Our path emerges for a while, then closes
Within a dream.
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