Mutability
Mutability
Original Text
Percy Bysshe Shelley, Posthumous Poems, ed. Mary Shelley (1824). Cf. Posthumous Poems of Shelley. Mary Shelley's Fair Copy Book, Bodleian MS. Shelley Adds. d. 9, Collated with the Holographs and the Printed Texts, ed. Irving Massey (Montreal: McGill-Queens University Press, 1969). PR 5403 M27 ROBA. Percy Bysshe Shelley, Poetical Works, ed. Mary Shelley (London: E. Moxon, 1839). PR 5402 1870 ROBA.
1 The flower that smiles to-day
2 To-morrow dies;
3All that we wish to stay
4 Tempts and then flies.
5What is this world's delight?
6Lightning that mocks the night,
7 Brief even as bright.
8 Virtue, how frail it is!
9 Friendship how rare!
10Love, how it sells poor bliss
11 For proud despair!
12But we, though soon they fall,
13Survive their joy, and all
14 Which ours we call.
15 Whilst skies are blue and bright,
16 Whilst flowers are gay,
17Whilst eyes that change ere night
18 Make glad the day;
19Whilst yet the calm hours creep,
20Dream thou--and from thy sleep
21 Then wake to weep.
Publication Start Year
1824
RPO poem Editors
J. D. Robins
RPO Edition
2RP 2.278.
Rhyme