The Course of Time

TIME is threefold — triple — three:
First — and Midst — and Last;
Was— and Is— and Yet-To-Be;—

Future — Present — Past.

Lightning-swift, the Is is gone —

The Yet-To-Be crawls with a snakelike slowness on;

Still stands the Was for aye — its goal is won.

No fierce impatience, no entreating,
Can spur or wing the tardy Tarrier;
No strength, no skill, can rear a barrier
Between Departure and the Fleeting:
No prayers, no tears, no magic spell,
Can ever move the Immovable.

Wouldst thou, fortunate and sage,
Terminate Life's Pilgrimage?
Wouldst thou quit this mundane stage
Better, happier, worthier, wiser?
Then, whate'er thine aim and end,
Take, O Youth! for thine adviser,

Not thy working-mate, The Slow;
Oh, make not The Vanishing thy friend,

Or The Permanent thy foe!