Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TIME, by GEORGE CRABBE


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TIME, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The clock struck one! We take no thought of time
Last Line: Of hours to come, when misery must prevail.
Subject(s): Time


'THE clock struck one! we take no thought of Time,'
Wrapt up in night, and meditating rhyme:
All big with vision, we despise the powers
That vulgar beings link to days and hours;
Those vile, mechanic things, that rule our hearts,
And cut our lives in momentary parts.
'That speech of Time was Wisdom's gift,' said Young;
Ah, Doctor! better Time would hold his tongue:
What serves the clock? 'To warn the careless crew
How much in little space they have to do;
To bid the busy world resign their breath,
And beat each moment a soft call for death --
To give it, then, a tongue, was wise in man.'
Support the assertion, Doctor, if you can:
It tells the ruffian when his comrades wait;
It calls the duns to crowd my hapless gate;
It tells my heart the paralysing tale,
Of hours to come, when Misery must prevail.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net