Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, OF THE CHANGES OF LIFE, by WILLIAM DUNBAR


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

OF THE CHANGES OF LIFE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I seek about this world unstable
Last Line: So is this world and ever has been.
Subject(s): Life; Transience; Impermanence


I seek about this world unstable
to find one faithful moral fable,
but I cannot for all my wit
so true one maxim find of it
but say, it is deceivable.

For yesterday I did declare
how that the season soft and fair
came in as fresh as peacock feather.
This day it stings me like an adder.
Things conclude me au contraire.

Yesterday fair upsprang the flowers,
this day they are all slain with shears;
and fowls in forests that sang clear
now wake up with a dreary cheer.
Full cold are both their beds and bowers.

Next after summer, winter lean,
next after comfort, care keen;
next to dark midnight, mirthful morrow;
next after joy come sorrow.
So is this world and ever has been.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


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