John Wilmot, earl of Rochester (1647-1680)
Love and Life: A Song
1All my past life is mine no more,
2 The flying hours are gone,
3Like transitory dreams giv'n o'er,
4Whose images are kept in store
5 By memory alone.
6The time that is to come is not;
7 How can it then be mine?
8The present moment's all my lot;
9And that, as fast as it is got,
10 Phyllis, is only thine.
11Then talk not of inconstancy,
12 False hearts, and broken vows;
13If I, by miracle, can be
14This live-long minute true to thee,
15 'Tis all that Heav'n allows.
Online text copyright © 2009, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.
Original text: John Wilmot, earl of Rochester, Poems on Several Occasions. 1680, facs. edn. (Menston: Scolar Press, 1971). PR 3669 R2 1680AB ROBA.
First publication date:
1680
RPO poem editor: G. G. Falle
RP edition: 3RP 2.58.
Recent editing: 2:2002/1/30
Rhyme: abaab
Other poems by John Wilmot, earl of Rochester
