"Take Moore," Mrs. Barclay went on, humouring the discussion on purpose. "Do you remember?—
'My birthday! what a different sound
That word had in my younger years!
And now, each time the day comes round,
Less and less white its mark appears.'"
"Well, I am sure that is true," said the other lady.
"Do you remember Robert Herrick's lines to daffodils?—
'Fair daffodils, we weep to see
You haste away so soon.'
And then—
'We have short time to stay as you;
We have as short a spring;
As quick a growth to meet decay,
As you or anything:
We die
As your showers do; and dry
Away
Like to the summer's rain,
Or as the pearls of morning dew,
Ne'er to be found again.'
And Waller to the rose—
'Then die! that she
The common fate of all things rare
May read in thee.
How small a part of time they share,
That are so wondrous sweet and fair!'