The Aged Carle

' WHY sit'st thou by that ruin'd hall,
Thou aged carle so stern and grey ?
Dost thou its former pride recall,
Or ponder how it pass'd away ? '-

' Know'st thou not me?' the Deep Voice cried ;
'So long enjoy 'd, so oft misused --
Alternate, in thy fickle pride,
Desired, neglected, and accused !

' Before my breath, like blazing flax;
Man and his marvels pass away !
And changing empires wane and wax,
Are founded, flourish, and decay.

' Redeem mine hours -- the space is brief--
While in my glass the sand-grains shiver,
And measureless thy joy or grief
When TIME and thou shall part for ever ! '